Miles Sanders – Page 2 – Syndication Server

Biggest takeaways from the Panthers’ Week 4 loss to Bengals

Even in a loss, the Panthers and HC Dave Canales are getting closer to who they want to be.

This Sunday wasn’t nearly as fun as the last one for the Carolina Panthers. But that doesn’t mean the afternoon was a total loss.

Here are three takeaways from Week 4’s 34-24 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals:

Ground game continues to gain traction

Head coach Dave Canales, months before actually leading the sidelines for Carolina, professed his intent to establish the run. So he should be a happy man when he looks at his running game in the film room tomorrow.

The Panthers put together another productive day on the ground, an effort that resulted in 155 yards and a touchdown on 29 attempts. Running back Chuba Hubbard led the way once again, rushing for 104 yards (his second straight 100-yard game) and the score.

Backup Miles Sanders looked dangerous, too. After averaging just 3.1 yards per carry in the first three outings of the campaign, Sanders bounced around for 32 yards on six takes (5.3 yards per carry).

Despite the loss, which was even missing the road-grading left guard Damien Lewis, the Carolina offense seems to be getting closer to assuming an actual identity.

Defense raises more concerns

Unfortunately for the Panthers, the opposing ground game didn’t treat them too well.

The Bengals bopped about for 141 yards and two scores on 31 carries. A decent amount of that production can be attributed to the, uh, less-than-stellar fundamentals from the Carolina defense—which struggled to wrap up.

A lack of consistent tackling also gave way to the biggest play of the game, a long touchdown connection in the second quarter between quarterback Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. What should have been about a 15-yard gain became a 63-yard touchdown thanks to a handful of missed tackles.

To add injury to insult, the unit lost two more of their leaders in inside linebackers Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell. The severity of their injuries are yet to be announced, but a Derrick Brown-less defense really can’t afford any more notable absences.

Are the Panthers getting there?

Even in defeat, the Panthers picked up a few minor “wins.”

Along with a strong running game, Carolina’s passing attack kept the contest interesting. Quarterback Andy Dalton wasn’t the same guy he was in last week’s triumphant performance, but he was able to push the ball downfield to keep the offense moving.

Dalton finished with 220 passing yards and two touchdowns, with one finding wideout Diontae Johnson and the other finding rookie Xavier Legette for his first NFL score.

The Panthers wrapped up the day with 375 yards of total offense (two more than the Bengals) and seven third-down conversions on 14 tries. That output helped keep them competitive on a scoreboard that once read them a 31-14 deficit.

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Studs and duds from Panthers’ Week 3 win over Raiders

QB Andy Dalton may have been the star of the Panthers’ Week 3 win, but RB Chuba Hubbard was the engine.

Well, this should be a lot more fun to read now, right?

The Carolina Panthers ripped off their first win of the 2024 season on Sunday, thumping the Las Vegas Raiders in a shocking 36-22 victory. Their upset win, obviously, featured a number of standout performers and very few, if any disappointments.

Here are the studs and duds from a triumphant Week 3:

Stud: QB Andy Dalton

Dalton turned in a clean and productive performance in his first start replacing Bryce Young. He completed 26 of his 37 passes for 319 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

The 36-year-old became the first quarterback in the NFL this season to throw for at least 300 yards and three scores in a game.

Stud: RB Chuba Hubbard

Hubbard was the featured weapon on offense, as he tallied 169 yards from scrimmage. He rushed for 114 yards on 21 carries and added another 55 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Dud: RB Miles Sanders

Although he recorded his first touchdown of the campaign, Sanders couldn’t find the same openings Hubbard did. He ran for 17 yards on seven attempts, good enough for an average of 2.4 yards per tote.

Stud: WR Diontae Johnson

After totaling just 34 receiving yards in his first two games, Johnson reeled in a career-high 122 yards on Sunday. He also reached the end zone for the first time in 2024.

Dud: WR Jonathan Mingo

Head coach Dave Canales tried to create some opportunities for Mingo, but he didn’t capitalize. The second-year wideout picked up 18 yards on his three catches and two yards on a rushing attempt.

Stud: CB Mike Jackson

Jackson continues to be quite the revelation for the defense. He notched team-highs with nine tackles (all solo), an interception and three passes defensed.

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Bryce Young, 2 other Panthers named top trade candidates by ESPN

ESPN’s Dan Graziano listed Panthers QB Bryce Young and a pair of his teammates as top trade candidates for this year’s deadline.

The Carolina Panthers don’t seem too interested in parting ways with the recently-benched Bryce Young, at least not yet. But what if they were . . . ?

ESPN senior NFL national reporter Dan Graziano explored that scenario, and a handful of others, on Friday—as he named 15 players who could be on the move before this year’s trade deadline. Graziano includes Young in the bunch, writing that there should be other organizations willing to reignite the 2023 No. 1 overall pick:

Two days after benching Young just 18 games into his career for Andy Dalton, Panthers coach Dave Canales said the team isn’t trading Young. But wacky things happen in Carolina and plans change quickly. If the Panthers decide they can’t fix Young, who knows at that point? Surely there are teams out there willing to take on a potential reclamation player who was the first overall pick in the draft 17 months ago.

Young is making only $915,000 in salary this year, but an acquiring team would take on a fully guaranteed $10.13 million in salary over the next two seasons, which could be an impediment. That’s also true for the $12.3 million in dead money the Panthers would incur with a deal — and that assumes they wouldn’t have to pay any of the salary to move him. But again, it’s a tough situation to predict.

Graziano lists the Miami Dolphins as a possible landing spot for Young, who threw for just 245 yards and three touchdowns in two games prior to his demotion earlier this week.

Young is joined by a pair of teammates on the list—running back Miles Sanders and wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Graziano connects Sanders to the Dallas Cowboys and Johnson to the New England Patriots.

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Studs and duds from Panthers’ Week 2 loss to Chargers

The home debut of the Dave Canales-Bryce Young era was not a fun one.

Hey, at least it wasn’t a 37-point beatdown this time, right?

As we pick up the pieces of another depressing defeat, let’s name the studs and duds from the Carolina Panthers’ 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday . . .

Dud: QB Bryce Young

You knew this one was coming. Young tossed for career-lows in yards (84) and yards per attempt (3.2) while throwing his third interception of the campaign.

Dud: HC Dave Canales

The offense’s play-caller will shoulder some blame as well. Carolina converted on only one of their 12 third-down attempts and totaled just three passing attempts of at least 10 yards downfield.

Stud: RB Chuba Hubbard

After a disappointing 2024 debut, Hubbard came out chugging in Week 2. He rushed for 64 yards on 10 carries and added another 12 yards on four receptions.

Dud: RB Miles Sanders

Unlike his backfield mate, Sanders didn’t take advantage of his opportunities. He rushed for 20 yards on seven takes and totaled five receiving yards on three catches.

Studs: ILBs Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell

Although they were still awfully generous on the ground, allowing 219 rushing yards, the Panthers defense wasn’t completely incompetent as they were last week. Thompson (14 tackles) and Jewell (11 tackles) were busy trying to hold the unit together following the loss of Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown.

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3 bold predictions for the 2024 Panthers

Join us as we make three bold predictions for the Panthers’ 2024 season.

This weekend marks the debut of the Carolina Panthers under first-year head coach Dave Canales and his reimagined roster. Many new pieces were added this season as the team works to build around its potential franchise quarterback, Bryce Young.

And with the team about to kick off their campaign in New Orleans on Sunday, maybe it’s time for some bold predictions!

So whether you think these forecasts are within reasonable range or just plain ol’ crazy, let’s have some fun . . .

Jadeveon Clowney sets new career-high in sacks

Never, in a decade’s worth of play in the NFL, has this hometown hero tallied more than 9.5 sacks in a single season. He reached that mark twice—first with the Houston Texans in 2017, and then with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.

This year, Clowney joins the Panthers looking to help them to their first playoff berth in seven years. He’s known for being one of the best edge-setting defenders in the league while being an adequate pass rusher for most of his career.

However, the 2014 No. 1 overall selection has never lived up to the expectations he was given coming into the league as a true pass rusher. This year, that changes.

Clowney had one of the most dominant summers of any Panthers defender over the last few years and looks primed for a big campaign. I believe he is aging like fine wine and is getting better as the years add up.

This year, Clowney gets 10.5 sacks for a defense that is desperate for pass-rush production.

Four rookies start by Week 18

This prediction is already off to a great start.

The Panthers announced on Friday that incumbent starters Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) and Ian Thomas (calf) would be out Week 1—paving the way for fourth-round tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders to start in his first career game. Canales said Friday that Sanders has already been working with the first-team offense, which could give him an advantage down the stretch.

First-round wide receiver Xavier Legette, second-round running back Jonathon Brooks, third-round linebacker Trevin Wallace, Sanders and fifth-round cornerback Chau Smith-Wade are candidates to receive plenty of snaps as the season goes along. There is a strong chance that four of these five draft choices are starting by the end of the year, especially with general manager Dan Morgan looking for some “dawgs” to move forward with.

If I were to choose the players that are starting for Carolina as rookies by the end of the season, my picks are Legette at the outside Z, Brooks in the backfield, Sanders becoming Young’s go-to security blanket and Smith-Wade at the nickel.

Given the roles of veteran linebackers Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell, I don’t see Wallace as an established starter by Week 18. It’s hard to imagine he unseats either of them in 2024.

Panthers finish top-10 in rushing yards

Canales is a coach who will want to run the football, and even stressed it himself. This is a unit that is likely to be a run-first offense that opens up the passing game for Young and his group of playmakers.

This spells good news for Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders and Brooks—once he returns to the field. All three bring a different aspect to the Panthers’ ground game that will force defenses to adjust accordingly.

Hubbard is a one-cut, downhill runner who will add a second effort to get that one extra yard when being tackled. Despite his inconsistencies and struggles last season, Sanders will add value as a change-of-pace back who possesses a receiving skill set and slashing play style. Brooks is the most explosive of the three, adding a third-down ability in pass protection and as a receiver.

This trio will be the reason why the Panthers break the 2,000-yard mark as a team, thanks to their efforts and Canales’ likely stubbornness toward the run game.

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Panthers Week 1 injury report: Starting TEs ruled out vs. Saints

As expected, the Panthers will be without both of their starting tight ends to begin the 2024 regular season.

As expected, the Carolina Panthers will begin the 2024 regular season without a couple of their starters on offense.

The team has officially ruled out both Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) and Ian Thomas (calf) from Sunday’s opener against the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints. Tremble and Thomas, who did not participate in practice all week, have been listed as the first-string tight ends on Carolina’s first unofficial depth chart of the new campaign.

Their absences could give way to opportunities for 2024 fourth-round pick Ja’Tavion Sanders as well as Jordan Matthews. The 21-year-old rookie and the 32-year old veteran have impressed throughout the summer, and should serve as the next men up for Tremble and Thomas.

Carolina might also be without backup tackle Yosh Nijman, who has been deemed questionable due to a tibia injury.

	Injury	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Game status
TE Ian Thomas	Calf	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
TE Tommy Tremble	Hamstring/back	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
OT Yosh Nijman	Tibia	Limited	Limited	Limited	Questionable
RB Miles Sanders	Finger	Limited	Full	Full	–
CB Troy Hill	Heel		Limited	Full	–

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Panthers still without TEs Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas at practice

The Panthers held out TEs Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas for the second straight practice.

Another day, another practice for the Carolina Panthers without their top two tight ends.

As was the case on Wednesday, the team held out both Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) and Ian Thomas (calf) from this afternoon’s session. So the statuses of Tremble and Thomas, who are currently listed as the offense’s starters at the tight end position, remain rather uncertain heading into Sunday’s regular-season opener against the New Orleans Saints.

The two are again joined on the injury report by running back Miles Sanders (finger) and offensive tackle Yosh Nijman (tibia). Sanders was bumped up from a limited outing yesterday to a full one on Thursday.

Carolina also added veteran cornerback Troy Hill (heel) to the bill.

	Injury	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Game status
TE Ian Thomas	Calf	DNP	DNP
TE Tommy Tremble	Hamstring/back	DNP	DNP
OT Yosh Nijman	Tibia	Limited	Limited
RB Miles Sanders	Finger	Limited	Full
CB Troy Hill	Heel		Limited

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Panthers hold out starting TEs from practice on Wednesday

Both Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas did not participate in Wednesday’s practice.

The Carolina Panthers’ very first injury report of the 2024 regular season didn’t bring us any surprises.

As expected, tight ends Tommy Tremble (hamstring/back) and Ian Thomas (calf) were held out from Wednesday’s practice ahead of this weekend’s opener against the New Orleans Saints. Both were listed as starters on yesterday’s unofficial depth chart.

Tremble and Thomas are backed in the pecking order by 2024 fourth-round pick Ja’Tavion Sanders and 32-year-old veteran Jordan Matthews, who was promoted to the active roster shortly after this summer’s initial cutdowns. Carolina, additionally, officially signed rookie Messiah Swinson off the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad to provide insurance at the position.

Running back Miles Sanders (finger) and offensive tackle Yosh Nijman (tibia) were also included on today’s injury report. They were designated as limited participants.

	Injury	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Game status
TE Ian Thomas	Calf	DNP
TE Tommy Tremble	Hamstring/back	DNP
OT Yosh Nijman	Tibia	Limited
RB Miles Sanders	Finger	Limited

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Initial 53-man roster projection for the 2024 Panthers

Here is our final projection for the Panthers’ initial 2024 53-man roster:

Now that the preseason is officially in the books, the Carolina Panthers have another task to tackle—the big cutdown.

Between now and 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the Panthers and the rest of the NFL’s 31 teams must get down to their initial 53-player rosters.

Here is our final projection for Carolina’s initial 53:

Quarterbacks (2)

In: Bryce Young, Andy Dalton
Out: Jack Plummer

Plummer impressed in the summer finale, completing 21 of his 29 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. But that still won’t be enough to devote a third spot on the roster to a quarterback.

Running backs (4)

In: Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone
Out: Jaden Shirden
Reserve/NFI list: Jonathon Brooks

Boone has benefitted from the inactivity of both Blackshear and Brooks, who isn’t expected back for at least a handful of weeks into the regular season. And luckily for the former, his successful track record as a kick returner keeps him around.

Wide receivers (6)

In: Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, David Moore
Out: Terrace Marshall Jr., Michael Strachan, Jalen Coker, Sam Pinckney

The sixth and final spot came down to Marshall Jr. and Moore. Moore’s experience on special teams and his previous history with head coach Dave Canales in both Seattle and Tampa Bay give him the edge.

Tight ends (4)

In: Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jordan Matthews
Out: Feleipe Franks, Jacob Hollister, Jesper Horsted

Matthews earned his spot with a spectacular summer. The 32-year-old opened the preseason with a team-high 48 receiving yards in New England and ended it with a touchdown to kick off the last outing in Buffalo.

Offensive linemen (9)

In: Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, Austin Corbett, Robert Hunt, Taylor Moton, Brady Christensen, Yosh Nijman, Cade Mays, Chandler Zavala
Out: Ricky Lee, Jeremiah Crawford, Mason Brooks, Andrew Raym, Jack Anderson, Ike Boettger, Tyler Smith

Given that he’s the only true center on the roster, Raym has a shot to stick on. But the versatility of backups such as Nijman, Christensen and Mays allows the Panthers to keep the number of hog mollies at nine.

Defensive linemen (5)

In: Derrick Brown, A’Shawn Robinson, Shy Tuttle, Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray
Out: Jaden Crumedy, T.J. Smith, Ulomoo Ale, Jayden Peevy, Walter Palmore, Junior Aho

Crumedy, the team’s sixth-round selection from this spring, could be in trouble while dealing a high-ankle sprain. So could Smith, who’d be a favorite to sneak back on as a practice squad member after recording a pair of sacks this preseason.

Outside linebackers (5)

In: Jadeveon Clowney, K’Lavon Chaisson, DJ Johnson, Eku Leota, Luiji Vilain
Out: Cam Gill, Derrick McLendon, Kenny Dyson
Reserve/Physically unable to perform list: D.J. Wonnum, Amaré Barno

Vilain and Gill could be battling for the fifth locker. But if it actually doesn’t go to either, look for the Panthers to pick up a pass rusher off the street.

Inside linebackers (4)

In: Shaq Thompson, Josey Jewell, Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus
Out: Chandler Wooten, Tae Davis, Aaron Beasley

Canales does not take special teams prowess for granted. Cherelus and Wooten could claim spots with theirs.

Cornerbacks (6)

In: Jaycee Horn, Michael Jackson, Troy Hill, Chau Smith-Wade, Dicaprio Bootle, D’Shawn Jamison
Out: Willie Drew, Chris Wilcox, Quandre Mosely
Injured: Dane Jackson

The “significant” hamstring injury to Jackson (Dane, that is) could force the Panthers to keep a few outside options—including both Bootle and Jamison.

Safeties (5)

In: Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Jammie Robinson, Alex Cook
Out: Demani Richardson, Rudy Ford
Injured: Sam Franklin Jr.

As Canales has stated, there’s no replacing Franklin Jr.—who will be out for quite a bit while healing up a broken foot. Cook, however, could give the Panthers a little bit back on special teams.

Specialists (3)

In: Eddy Piñeiro, Johnny Hekker, JJ Jansen

Well, nothing to see here.

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Report: Cowboys monitoring Panthers RB Miles Sanders

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys have their eyes on Panthers RB Miles Sanders.

Could Miles Sanders be heading back to the NFC East?

According to ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler, the Carolina Panthers running back may be of interest to the Dallas Cowboys—who still seem to be sorting out their backfield. Fowler, after recently visiting the reigning division champions at training camp, wrote the following of their situation:

The Cowboys know they face questions at running back after losing Tony Pollard to a bigger contract in Tennessee. They will monitor the Ezekiel Elliott-Rico Dowdle-Royce Freeman experience, while keeping a short list of external options, just in case. Carolina’s Miles Sanders is on that list. And Dalvin Cook has shown interest in playing for Dallas. As it stands, Elliott is slated as the starter, but the Cowboys will manage his snaps. They need Dowdle to stay healthy; McCarthy likes what he has shown in camp. And the team really likes Freeman’s tape from the Rams last season and believes he can be an impact RB2/RB3 option — a banger in small doses.

After spending his first four NFL seasons as a member the Philadelphia Eagles, Sanders signed a four-year, $25.4 million deal with the Panthers in the spring of 2023. He’d go on to experience his worst campaign as a pro—hitting lows in starts (five), attempts (129) and rushing yards (432) while averaging 3.3 yards per carry.

The 27-year-old could be a third wheel in Carolina upon the clearance of rookie Jonathon Brooks, whom the team selected with the 46th overall of the 2024 draft. Sanders is currently listed behind starter Chuba Hubbard on the unofficial depth chart.

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