CHARLOTTE — Dave Canales is always positive, no matter the outside factors. He's always encouraging and optimistic, even when he'd have permission to be anything else. It's character traits as much a part of his modus operandi as his baseball hat in recent months. So it was no surprise when he started his regular Wednesday press conference in the same way.

It didn't take long for the first-year head coach to become reflective and grateful. That's not uncommon for most people this time of year, but it is a little bittersweet for Canales. Everything this week will be the last for the 2024 Carolina Panthers.

Today was the last Wednesday practice of the season. Tomorrow will be the last Thursday. Knowing this is the last time the 2024 Carolina Panthers will be together, the last meetings, the last lunches, and the last goodbyes.

"Just grateful to just have these days, this last week, each of them," Canales said. "They're just special moments to spend with the guys, with the coaches, just soaking it all in.

"The meetings, passing each other in the hallways. As it comes to a close, it always strikes me no team is ever the same, and so I'm just grateful for the guys and just encourage them to just enjoy these moments. Enjoy this time. We spend so much time together, working really hard.

"So anyway, it was great to be out there just running around, throwing the ball around and having fun and practice."

Before Canales and crew can provide a complete retrospective, there is one more game to play. The Atlanta Falcons are still fighting for a playoff spot, and the Panthers can determine their seeding as next year's schedule is put into place. In other words, there is still plenty to play for on Sunday.

While injuries mount this time of year, Canales said everyone who is able is still in play for this weekend. Those dealing with injuries and missed last week's game are also pushing to be on the field this Sunday.

"We're just taking them day to day, and kind of following their progress and making sure we do the right thing for the player first and foremost, and all the guys, their message is they want to play. They want to be able to finish well. They want to be able to finish together, and it means something to them, and that's really special to me because all of these games are so important."

A tentative plan for Sanders

The Panthers could get running back help this week. Veteran Miles Sanders was designated to return to practice on Wednesday, meaning he is eligible to be activated ahead of Sunday's game.

The running back suffered a high ankle sprain during the win over the New York Giants in Munich, Germany on November 10. As he was being carted off the field, and subsequently when he received the prognosis, Sanders thought his season might be over.

"Little bit," Sanders admitted to those thoughts in November this week. "You know, high ankle sprains are pretty significant injuries, so like I said, it's not a full go that I'm going this week.

"It's just I'm able to go out there and practice and see how I feel, so that's why I'm still taking it day by day. But yeah, but it took a little toll on me.

When Sanders jogged back onto the practice field Wednesday and joined the huddle again, Canales saw players respond to someone who has always been one of the best locker room teammates.

"Even just him being out there in the huddle, talking to the guys and the guys kind of responding with smiles to see him out there again, with us doing this, so, really cool for the guys to be able to do this together."

It's been six games since Sanders has been on the field with this offense. In that time, quarterback Bryce Young experienced a resurgence, leading the offense into close games and wins. It makes for an exciting opportunity to step back into for Sanders.

"I'm excited for the way Bryce has been looking, to get his confidence back and out there playing his game," noted Sanders, "playing the way he wants to play, controlling the game, understanding it too, so, I'm just happy for Bryce."

Sanders' tentative return comes at a needed time. The Panthers placed running back Chuba Hubbard on injured reserve last week with a calf injury, joining Jonathon Brooks who was already on IR. The injury doesn't require a long recovery but would run the remainder of the season. The offense split snaps between Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone and Velus Jones Jr. on Sunday against Tampa Bay. Along with Young's carries, the team ran for a total of 39 yards.

Sanders spent much of the season behind Hubbard, running for 139 yards on 38 carries (plus 21 receptions for 98 yards) before getting hurt. The sixth-year back has been proven before, though, even rushing for 1,269 yards in his final year in Philadelphia in 2022.

As mentioned, it's not certain Sanders will play this weekend. Coaches want to see how he reacts on Thursday when practice is more intense.

"We'll have a full practice tomorrow, so we want to see him run and cut and do all those things and make sure it's the right thing for him," Canales explained. "But he looked like he was into it today and so I'm really hoping to get him out there.

"For us, it's about going out there and being competitive, playing our best brand of football, and Miles gives us a chance to do that."

Added Sanders, "If I'm able to play, I'm going to be out there."

Advice for the rookie

Bryce Young started 15 games as a rookie in what proved to be an unenviable position. The battle scars helped set him up for a second season that has experienced lows, yes, but also much higher highs and encouragement for the following year.

So, in theory, Young, now the experienced NFL QB, could offer advice for the Falcon's rookie quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., who was thrust into a starting role two weeks ago. One thing, though, as Young reminded a group of laughing reporters on Wednesday, is that the age gap is not what one would initially think.

"He's older than me," Young laughed.

The two are a year and six weeks (give or take a day) apart, but Young spent three years in college, while Penix spent six seasons at that level. Still, the Panthers quarterback does have more games under his belt, meaning he can offer at least a bit of reflection.

"For me, it's just been a lot of moments, a lot of things," Young said when thinking of what advice he'd offer. "Just remember that everything is a process and try to have urgency with the good and the bad while remembering that you're human.

"I've just been trying to take it one play, one day—whatever may be—at a time and continue to keep going."

The two have crossed paths at events and worked out together this past offseason. So, no matter what happens Sunday, Penix has a fan in his fellow passer.

"I'm super excited for him and his future, so I think more so than anything, I'm just happy for him," Young said. "Obviously, we all want to win on Sunday, but just big picture, been around him a good amount, a good dude, I'm definitely rooting for him."