Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Sanders didn't play in Friday's 31-13 preseason win against the Falcons due to a shoulder injury, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanders missed time early in training camp and the Cowboys' first exhibition due to a bruised knee. He improved enough to suit up last Saturday versus the Ravens en route to seven carries for 15 yards among his 11 offensive snaps. Sanders' injury combined with Jaydon Blue hurting his right ankle Friday leaves Javonte Williams as the sole healthy member of the team's top trio of running backs.

Sanders rushed the ball seven times for 15 yards in Saturday's 31-13 preseason loss to the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

Sanders had been sidelined by a knee injury for a long stretch of training camp, so his ability to make his preseason debut was a positive. He started the game with Javonte Williams resting and appeared on two offensive possessions. The results were far from noteworthy, but there should be some clarity to come in the next few weeks regarding the running back depth chart in Dallas now that Sanders can fully participate in team activities.

Sanders participated in team drills Wednesday for the first time in more than a week, Todd Archer of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran running back returned to practice Tuesday after missing time with a knee issue, and he was a full participant Wednesday. Sanders remains behind Javonte Williams on the Cowboys' backfield depth chart, and he was being pushed by rookie Jaydon Blue (heel) earlier in camp before the 2025 fifth-round pick was sidelined last week. Given that he only signed a one-year, $1.34 million contract with the team back in March, Sanders isn't a lock to have a significant role in the offense.

Sanders (knee) is participating in practice Tuesday wearing full pads, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanders missed roughly two weeks of practice, plus Dallas' preseason opener against the Rams, due to a left knee bruise, but it looks like he's now back in full. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed optimism on Monday that Sanders would be able to suit up for exhibition action Saturday versus Baltimore. Javonte Williams remains the early favorite for Dallas' lead backfield role, but Sanders still has time to make his case for opportunities. Rookie Jaydon Blue (heel) is still not practicing Tuesday.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Monday that he expects Sanders (knee) and fellow running back Jaydon Blue (heel) to see "significant progress" in their recoveries this week and that both could play Saturday versus the Ravens, Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanders and Blue were both forced to sit out Dallas' preseason opener against the Rams, but the Cowboys backfield could be in a healthier spot this weekend. Jon Machota of The Athletic reports that Javonte Williams remains in the early lead for the Cowboys' lead running back job but that nobody has yet emerged as a true favorite for the No. 1 backfield role. If Sanders is able to get healthy in time to put some good preseason reps on tape, it will assist his chances of carving out a notable role.

Sanders (knee) is not practicing Thursday due to what has been labeled a slight knee bruise, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanders' injury is to his left knee, Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports, and he's wearing a compression sleeve on that leg Thursday. There are no indications that Sanders is dealing with a significant injury, but the Cowboys figure to take a cautious approach to the 28-year-old's recovery. Jon Machota of The Athletic reports that Sanders has been an early standout at training camp, both as a runner and in the receiving game. He's competing for backfield opportunities with Javonte Williams and rookie fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue.

Sanders has stood out the most so far in training camp among the Cowboys' running backs, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The former Eagle and Panther is competing with fellow free-agent signee Javonte Williams as well as rookie Jaydon Blue for snaps and touches in what could be a backfield committee for the Cowboys. Sanders has flashed both as a runner and as a pass catcher early in camp, but there likely won't be any clarity on how new head coach Brian Schottenheimer will deploy his running backs until deep into the preseason, assuming the picture clears up at all before Week 1.

Sanders and Javonte Williams have been getting most of the first-team reps at June minicamp, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

EDGE Analysis

Given the alternatives, it's no surprise to see the two free-agent additions handling first-team work, even though both of them averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry in each of the past two seasons. The Cowboys' other running backs right now are rookie fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue, rookie seventh-round pick Phil Mafah and 2023 sixth-rounder Deuce Vaughn. It's anyone's guess how the depth chart might shift before Week 1, with possibilities including a late veteran addition via trade or free agency.

Sanders signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys on Thursday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Panthers released Sanders on Tuesday after he had a pair of disappointing seasons with the team. He'll now join the Cowboys looking to revitalize his career, and he should have the chance to capture a decent workload as the roster is currently constructed. Javonte Williams is the only other back on the depth chart capable of carrying a traditional workload, though Sanders' fantasy potential won't become clear until after the NFL Draft in late April.

The Panthers released Sanders on Tuesday, Jonathan Jones of CBSSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sanders made it through two seasons of a four-year, $25.4 million contract, mostly backing up Chuba Hubbard during that time. The deal ended up being a disaster for Carolina, with Sanders arguably the most overpaid running back in the league. He'll turn 28 in May and may now have to settle for a chance to compete for a roster spot.