The Las Vegas Raiders held a workout with 2022 Pro Bowl running back Miles Sanders on Monday This news came just one day before the Raiders’ veterans report to training camp (Tuesday, July 28), and four days after the rookies reported to camp (July 23)
Sanders, 29, has played for four teams in seven years. The Penn State product was originally a second-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019, earning the Pro Bowl bid during his last season in Philadelphia by rushing for 1,269 yards (4.9 ypc) and 11 touchdowns. However, the Eagles decided to let him walk during the following offseason, and his production has declined every season since setting career highs four years ago
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In 2023, Sanders signed a four-year, $25.4 million contract with the Carolina Panthers. However, he battled injuries and struggled to find his footing with the Panthers before being released with two years left on the deal. The running back had just 939 yards from scrimmage and four total touchdowns in 27 games (seven starts) with the Panthers
This past season, the former Eagle returned to the NFC East, inking a one-year contract for the veteran minimum with the Dallas Cowboys. Sanders continued to battle the injury bug, suffering a knee bruise and ankle sprain in training camp before being put on season-ending injured reserve after having chondral tissue graft surgery on his left knee, per ESPN’sTodd Archer. He played in just four games with the Cowboys, collecting just 147 yards from scrimmage and 1 touchdown
Meanwhile, the Raiders could use some depth behind Ashton Jeanty. The front office was expected to be more active in the running back market, but only used a fourth-round pick on Mike Washington Jr. from Arkansas and signed Indiana’s Roman Hemby as an undrafted rookie during the offseason. Last year’s holdovers, Dylan Laube and Chris Collier, have a combined 17 career touches from scrimmage during the regular season
In other words, the position group is pretty young. Jeanty, who is heading into his second season, is the only running back with double-digit rushing attempts. Also, the team could use a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield, and Sanders has 183 catches for 1,274 yards and four touchdowns in his career to add more reason for the Raiders’ interest
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In addition to Sanders, the Raiders also hosted the following players for workouts on Monday, per ESPN’s Ryan McFadden
WR Deven Thompkins
WR Casey Washington
TE Zack Kuntz
LB Buddy Johnson
LB Jamon Johnson
DE Patrick Johnson
After the workouts, the Raiders announced the signings of Buddy Johnson, Patrick Johnson and Thompkins. In corresponding moves, the team released wide receiver Jonathan Brady, linebacker Chris Thomas and defensive tackle Laki Tasi
Tasi, who was a former professional rugby player and part of the NFL’s IPP program, is the most significant of the bunch. His story helped him become a popular player within the fanbase last season despite not playing a down during the regular season and spending all of 2025 as a practice squad offensive lineman
Silver and Black Pride will continue to monitor the situation and report any signings prior to and during training camp
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In Other Raiders’ Links:
Fernando Mendoza film breakdown: S&BP’s latest Mendoza Mania column dives into the No. 1 pick’s performance on a big stage in the Big Ten Championship against Ohio State
Keyron Crawford’s timeline: “His 2026 season should be slightly inconsistent with Crawford likely behind Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce, Kwity Paye for rotational snaps and he’ll likely also be pushed by UDFA Cian Slone who’s made waves in the off-season so far,” S&BP’s Tristen Kuhn wrote. “…Year two & three are likely the biggest for Crawford, 2027 can likely see one or all of those above him on the depth chart gone.”
Mendoza ready to learn: “‘Being a part of the Silver and Black, we want to compete every single day and do the best that we can for the organization and best for the team so we can win games,'” Mendoza told Paul Gutierrez of the team’s website. “‘Everybody in the quarterback room is a top-tier quarterback and it’s going to be competing with each other, not competing against each other.'”
Jon Gruden hypes up Klint Kubiak: “Enter Klint Kubiak, who could solve a lot of problems,” the former head coach said in a video posted on his X/Twitter account. “Not only did they get a young, up-and-coming head coach, they got a guy who can really call plays and coach quarterbacks, and run the offense.”
