Pro Bowler Miles Sanders designating return may signal the final game with the Carolina Panthers. According to reports, Sanders is returning to the team after missing most of the 2024 season battling an injury that kept him out of the action. Originally selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, after a disastrous 2023 season, the former Penn State product was hoping to turn the page in his career. However, injuries and inconsistencies since leaving the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022 have been holding him back to be a reliable backfield piece.
Sanders might benefit from signing with a roster that has a strong supporting cast. When playing with the Eagles before leaving, he set a career-high with 1,269 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Sanders did want more snaps which is why he left Philadelphia in the first place, signing a four-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. He’s been quiet the past two seasons with them as Chuba Hubbard has been handling the majority of snaps.
With the recent extension of Hubbard, it’s fair to say the era in Carolina is over for Sanders. Despite drafting Johnathon Brooks in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Panthers intended to keep Sanders apart of the lineup. However, it was imminent for the Panthers to move on from the veteran running back, later changing their stance this past trade deadline. The Carolina Panthers will likely use Sanders’ designating return as trade bait to receive the best offer they may get from the Ravens, Chargers.
Pro Bowler Miles Sanders Designating Return May Be Final Game – Ravens, Chargers Possible Trade Fits
Longevity Depth in Baltimore
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the fastest offenses in the league after acquiring Derrick Henry this past offseason to help the pace alongside Lamar Jackson. This new duo has been explosive all season but they could look for more depth after the postseason. Keaton Mitchell hasn’t been doing enough to prove he could be a long-term backup behind Henry. Given that Henry still has an injury history, the Ravens could benefit from trading for Miles Sanders to give the backfield more stability.
Justice Hill might be a difference maker but he’s rather effective in easy pass plays whenever Jackson is under pressure from opposing defenses. Sanders might not be the best runner in the league anymore but he could revive his career playing behind a great offensive line and system. He would easily be an effective 1-2 punch alongside Henry that could have at least one of them focus on punching it in the red zone.
Running with Jim Harbaugh
Nobody in this league loves running the football than head coach Jim Harbaugh who has a lot to improve after the NFL playoffs. They were hoping J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards would be their long-term solution after letting Austin Ekeler walk but that might not be the case. Edwards is still looking like his old self like he was in Baltimore but Dobbins seems to be heading in the right direction of improvement. As much as Justin Herbert thrives off the passing game, he needs a reliable backfield to help boost momentum for the entire offense.
Dobbins will likely keep his job which means they will probably find a new running back this upcoming free agency. Perhaps, they could benefit from adding Sanders who could give some short-term relief. Sanders landing with a playoff contender that has a promising future could be best for his investment if the Panthers allow him to find a trade partner.
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