Panthers HC Dave Canales said Monday that RB Miles Sanders (ankle) has been cleared to play. He was actually cleared to play late last week, per Canales, but didn't have enough time to get prepped for the Buccaneers game. But it sounds like, barring a setback, Sanders will play in Sunday's finale vs. the Falcons. With RB Chuba Hubbard out with his calf injury, Sanders would be the favorite to lead Carolina's backfield in touches over RBs Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone. Sanders has mustered just 3.7 yards per carry this season and wouldn't be an exciting fantasy option. But he could be a volume-based RB3 or Flex play.

Panthers RB Raheem Blackshear will start today's game vs. the Buccaneers. That, of course, guarantees nothing besides Blackshear being on the field for the first snap of the game. We're expecting RB Mike Boone to mix in and would avoid this backfield in fantasy lineups if at all possible. But if you're forced to get involved, Blackshear is the slightly better bet.

The Panthers are placing RB Chuba Hubbard on season-ending IR with calf and knee injuries, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter (and other reports). It's a surprise move after Hubbard finished the practice week questionable. Carolina's left with not much in the backfield for Sunday's clash with the Buccaneers.

Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks suffered another tear of his right ACL in Sunday's loss to the Eagles. He suffered the same injury to the same knee last November, which delayed the start to his rookie season.