Miles Sanders

Sanders made his return to the Carolina lineup after an extended absence due to an ankle injury and made the most of the opportunity as the team's lead back with Chuba Hubbard sidelined. Sanders, who scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime, had a 33-yard reception in the first half and later caught a short touchdown from Bryce Young -- one of Young's three throwing scores on the day. Sanders started 2024 in a competition for touches with Hubbard but was quickly relegated to breather back status before suffering the ankle injury. He had 200 rushing yards over 11 games while catching 24 passes. Sanders, 27, is signed with the Panthers through the 2026 season. Hubbard should retake his spot atop the Carolina backfield depth chart next year.

Young cooked in this one, facing very little pressure and hitting pass catchers in stride throughout. It was only the fourth time this season Young has thrown multiple touchdowns, as Carolina coaches continue putting more trust in the second-year QB. Young connected with David Moore, Miles Sanders, and Tommy Tremble for his passing scores, and found pay dirt twice on red zone scrambles -- an part of his game that has emerged over the past month. Young will end his second season with 15 touchdown passes over 11 starts, adding six scores on the ground. Young's final five starts of the season were likely enough for the Panthers to commit to him as their 2025 starter. That was not at all guaranteed as recently as October, when head coach Dave Canales had no choice but to bench Young for Andy Dalton after a miserable start to the year. Young over the past month has shown he can be, at worst, a game manager with usable mobility.

It was Young's fourth game this season with a passing and rushing touchdown.

Sanders (ankle) is listed as active and expected to start Sunday at Atlanta, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Panthers RB Miles Sanders (ankle) is active for today s game vs. the Falcons. It ll be his first action since Week 10, so don t expect workhorse usage. But we are projecting Sanders to lead the backfield in touches, ahead of Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone.