Sanders rushed 17 times for 66 yards and a touchdown and brought in three of four targets for 50 yards and another score in the Panthers' 44-38 overtime win over the Falcons on Sunday. He also fumbled once, but possession remained with Carolina. Making his return from a six-game absence, Sanders had fresh legs and an exuberant play style in the wild regular-season finale. Sanders visited the end zone as both a rusher and receiver, striking via a 33-yard scoring reception and a game-winning one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and overtime, respectively. Sanders has had a rollercoaster first two seasons in Carolina due to both performance issues and injury, but he'll presumably have a chance for a clean slate and a healthy season in 2025.
Sanders (ankle) is listed as active and expected to start Sunday at Atlanta, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports. In his first game action since he sprained his ankle Week 10 against the Giants, Sanders is in line to sit atop the backfield, what with both Chuba Hubbard (knee) and Jonathon Brooks (knee) on injured reserve and Velus Jones (coach's decision) inactive. Sanders will be vying with Raheem Blackshear (11 carries this season) and Mike Boone (nine) for touches Sunday. However, considering Sanders has 38 rushes and 21 receptions (on 26 targets) in 10 games on the campaign, he likely should be the top option among the trio.
Sanders (ankle) was activated off injured reserve Saturday and remains questionable for Sunday's contest against the Falcons, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports. Presumably, Sanders wouldn't be activated off injured reserve unless the team intended to play the veteran, but it's unclear if Raheem Blackshear, who got the start in replace of the injured Chuba Hubbard (knee) last week, will still get the first crack at the starting job Sunday. Sanders could be a cap causality this offseason, so from that standpoint the team theoretically should be more invested in the development of Blackshear, but this overall could be a messy backfield, with Mike Boone and Velus Jones also chipping in a few snaps as well.
Sanders (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons. Designated to return from injured reserve earlier this week, Sanders was a full practice participant Wednesday and Friday, sandwiched around a limited session Thursday. He's the favorite to operate as Carolina's lead back this Sunday in what might end up being his final game for the team. If they don't end up activating Sanders, the Panthers likely will start Raheem Blackshear while bringing Mike Boone and Velus Jones off the bench.
Sanders (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports. Carolina designated Sanders for return from injured reserve Wednesday, after which he was a full participant in his return to drills. The downgrade in work may be related to a lack of conditioning, but his status nonetheless bears watching to see if he'll be able to join a backfield that lost Jonathon Brooks (knee) and Chuba Hubbard (knee) for the season over the last month. At the moment, Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone and Velus Jones are the healthy running backs on the Panthers' active roster ahead of Sunday's game in Atlanta.
Sanders (ankle), who remains on injured reserve, practiced fully Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports. The Panthers officially designated Sanders for return from IR on Wednesday, two days removed from coach Dave Canales telling David Newton of ESPN.com that the running back had a chance to return to action Week 18. Sanders has been sidelined since Week 10, and he averaged just 3.7 YPC on his 38 carries prior to suffering a sprained ankle, but with Chuba Hubbard (knee) and Jonathon Brooks (knee) on IR, Sanders would be the most accomplished RB for Carolina if he's activated for Sunday's game in Atlanta, as Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone and Velus Jones are the current healthy options at the position.
Sanders (ankle), who remains on IR, will practice this week and could play in Sunday's Week 18 season finale against Atlanta, David Newton of ESPN.com reports. Panthers head coach Dave Canales indicated Monday that Sanders was cleared to return to the field last week and said the veteran running back will practice this week. While Canales didn't state that Sanders will play Sunday against the Falcons, the head coach also didn't rule hm out. Sanders hasn't logged game action since hurting his ankle Week 10 against the Giants and landing on IR a few weeks later. If Sanders does suit up Sunday, he'd be added to a Carolina running-back room that recently lost Chuba Hubbard (calf/knee) and currently consists of Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone and Velus Jones.
The Panthers placed Sanders (ankle) on injured reserve Saturday. Sanders had already been ruled out for Sunday's Week 12 game against Kansas City after spraining his ankle against the Giants in Week 10 prior to Carolina's Week 11 bye. He wasn't able to practice at all this week, and his move to IR means Sanders won't be eligible to return to game action until Sunday, Dec. 22 versus Arizona. His absence comes as rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) appears set to make his NFL debut Sunday while serving as the Panthers' No. 2 back behind Chuba Hubbard.
Sanders (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs. Sanders was carted off the field two weeks ago in Germany against the Giants. While he avoided a serious injury, Sanders is going to miss at least one contest. The Panthers are expected to have rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) available this week alongside Chuba Hubbard.