Injury Profile: Miles Sanders

Miles Sanders

Jeff Mueller Posted On April 10, 2021

In this series, I want to highlight some players who have dealt with recent injuries that impact how we should perceive them in dynasty leagues. First up in the injury series breakdown is Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders.

Many are high on Sanders as a high-end RB2. They have optimistic projections for him playing a full season with starter Jalen Hurts, basing projections off of his last three games played of the 2020 season.

Statistics from Sports Reference.

DLF Dynasty Startup ADP

Sanders’ ADP has gone on quite the rollercoaster from March 2020 through March 2021. His ADP rose inside the top 12 throughout last off-season, however has leveled off back to inside the top 24. He slid in as a high-end RB2 in the March 2021 Startup Dynasty ADP, as the RB14 between Josh Jacobs and Aaron Jones.

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In week 14, in Jalen Hurts’ first NFL start, Sanders finished as the RB3 overall for the week. However, over his next two games, he finished as RB22. Now, from an injury standpoint, is his ADP warranted?

screenshot 2021 04 10 at 08.34.44

Injuries

From June 2019 through January 2021, Sanders suffered eight different injuries. Yes, you read that correctly. And yes, your math is correct – that is eight injuries in a span of only 18 months. This is a very troubling trend for a starting running back who we are drafting to be a durable, high-end RB2 with our valuable high draft capital in round two.

I am not saying Sanders is injury prone, but he is certainly at a higher risk or susceptibility for further injury in the future. Let’s break down each injury:

6/3/19: Hamstring Strain
Missed eight weeks of his rookie camp, returning on 7/25.
8/1/19: Left Foot Sprain
Suffered a foot sprain immediately upon returning from his hamstring strain. Returned to practice on 8/3/19. Was ready for week one of 2019.
10/27/19: Right Shoulder Sprain
Left the game early. Played the next week. Did not appear limited.
12/29/19: Right Ankle Sprain
Low grade sprain, suffered in the last game of the season. Played in the Wild Card.
1/5/20: Left MCL Sprain
Suffered in the first half, played through the injury in the 2nd half but was limited (seven touches).
8/21/20: Hamstring Strain
Listed as week to week, unable to play until week two of the 2020 season (9/20). Reportedly was dealing with a gluteal injury through week two and three, as well.
10/18/20: Left Knee/MCL Sprain
In game, suffered a rotational injury while being tackled. Suspected meniscus or MCL injury, though injury was never clarified. Missed two games plus practice during the bye week. Played in week ten.
1/1/21: Left Knee Sprain
Reportedly suffered on Thursday in practice prior to the game. Speculation was that the Eagles were simply resting Sanders to tank, however Sanders was indeed injured.

Overall, Sanders’ injuries cost him 17 weeks of game time or practice time throughout camp and seasons of the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He likely would have missed even more time with the MCL injury had it not occurred in their postseason loss. The injury typically requires two to four weeks for healing.

While on paper Sanders has suffered many injuries, how concerning are they?

I am not concerned about the left foot sprain, right ankle sprain, or right shoulder sprain. He has not dealt with recurrent injuries at those sites since his initial incidents. Simply monitor for further injuries at these sites in the future.

I am concerned about his recurrent hamstring strains. Based on the amount of time Sanders missed due to his hamstring strains, he likely suffered grade II to III strains each occurrence. Recurrence of hamstring strains can often be up to 30% in-season, and up to 60% to 70% in subsequent seasons, particularly if another strain has already occurred. That to say, Sanders is at a much higher risk for hamstring re-injury than your average running back.

I am also concerned about the number of re-injuries that have occurred at his left knee, particularly his MCL. Thankfully, as far as what has been reported, Sanders only suffered MCL sprains as opposed to concomitant injuries (meaning MCL plus meniscus, or another dysfunction). When the injury is isolated to the MCL, the return to play and outcome is typically significantly better for continued play in the NFL.

The downside to multiple injuries (in Sanders’ case, at least three documented MCL sprains) is that, although the MCL has sufficient blood supply to heal, multiple sprains to the same site can create laxity and scar tissue development that will put him at risk for further injury at the same site. The tissue is not as strong as it once was, thus it requires less load, torque, or stress to create further pathology or injury.

Summary

Injuries can often be a loaded discussion, so what does all of this mean for Miles Sanders in dynasty? Personally, I am recommending selling at his current cost. While his upside playing next to Jalen Hurts is alluring, he has not proven that he can stay on the field throughout a full season with higher volume as a lead running back.

If you are doing a dynasty startup soon or simply managing your current dynasty roster, I would much rather bank on the upside of other lead running backs in his same tier or ADP range, such as Aaron Jones, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, or one of the rookies in Najee Harris, Javonte Williams or Travis Etienne. This also goes for trading Sanders for a wide receiver in the same tier if you are set at the running back position. In my opinion, it would be worth gauging trade interest if you can land a top five rookie pick in 1QB or a top eight rookie pick in superflex leagues.

Note: This article primarily focused on injuries, however I should note that the Eagles were contemplating drafting JK Dobbins last year, and have often looked to sign a big bruiser running back. They have added Jordan Howard to the backfield this off-season. Based on their rumored interests, there is speculation that they are not content with Sanders as their lead back, at least to the expectations that the fantasy community often has for his workload.

Fair questions to ask and certain areas that we cannot predict are: 1) how the new coaching regime will view Sanders, 2) will Sanders revamp his training regimen with an emphasis on hamstring and lower body training/injury prevention, and 3) if he does revamp his training, will it matter despite the tissue damage from his prior injuries?

I personally would not be banking on Sanders in dynasty and would pivot to another running back in the same tier.

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Jeff Mueller

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

Jeff is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with a specialty as a Certified Speed & Agility Coach. He enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking in Yosemite with his wife and dogs and has been an avid football fan since birth (go 49ers!). He also firmly believes that everyone needs to invest in a home gym with multiple TVs to watch all of the games on Sunday while working out.