Miles Sanders' stock continues to plummet in a season that the former Philadelphia Eagles running back probably doesn't want the NFL to remember.
On Monday, Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich revealed that on the critical fourth-down conversion, a pass play from Bryce Young to veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen, Sanders ran the wrong route and almost blew the play up.
"There was a miscommunication," Reich said. "So, hats off to Adam because you’re breaking out, expecting the ball on time, and then all of a sudden, you see Miles running at ya, and it can be a big-time distraction to both Adam and Bryce throwing it.”
It ended up not mattering as much because Young was able to connect with Thielen, and the drive continued, resulting in a game-winning field goal. However, Sanders running the wrong route is emblematic of the season the running back has suffered through in his first year away from Philadelphia.
First, it was the return of the fumble bug. Then it was Sanders' backup, Chuba Hubbard, outrunning him. Now, it is Sanders running the wrong route, even though pass-catching is supposed to be a skill he excels at on the field.
Here is a look at the play in question:
It makes no sense to praise Sanders for getting out of the way of a pass he shouldn't have been near in the first place.
And it is even harder to believe the Panthers gave Sanders a four-year, $25-million contract in the offseason.
On the year, Sanders has 190 rushing yards. He is averaging three yards per carry. He also has more fumbles than rushing touchdowns. There is no way around reality -- Sanders hasn't been a great player. But Reich said he isn't losing faith in him, even as his stock continues to fall.
"We have a lot of confidence in Miles," Reich said. "Miles is a great player."
The Panthers are still waiting to see great from him.
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