Cowboys RB Miles Sanders is out for season, team executive says

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys running back Miles Sanders, who was out last week because of knee and ankle injuries, will miss the rest of the season, executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said Friday.

Jones said on his radio show that the Woodland Hills and Penn State product was headed for season-ending injured reserve. Jones didn’t specify what led to the decision.

Sanders and Javonte Williams were free-agent additions in the offseason, but Williams has emerged as the starter. Williams needed just five games to match the five rushing touchdowns by Dallas running backs all of last season.

The 28-year-old Sanders spent his first four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas’ NFC East rival, before playing two seasons with the Carolina Panthers.

Sanders’ tenure with the Cowboys figures to be a short one because he signed a one-year contract. He had 117 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in four games. He has 4,462 career yards with 24 rushing TDs.

His best season was his final one with the Eagles, when he rushed for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns. Philadelphia lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl that year.

Sanders’ absence in last week’s 37-22 victory over the New York Jets led to rookie fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue getting activated for the first time. The former Texas running back had four carries for 7 yards against the Jets.