Jonathon Brooks was the first running back drafted in 2024, despite an ACL tear during his final season at Texas. The Carolina Panthers patiently took the long view in Brooks’ rehab, delaying his NFL debut until the middle of the season.
Unfortunately, Brooks was back on the shelf with another devastating injury after just three games. Here’s the latest on Brooks’ injury and status going forward.
What Is Jonathon Brooks’ Injury?
Brooks suffered a non-contact knee injury late in the first quarter of the Panthers’ Week 14 game against the Eagles. The second-round pick received on-field attention from the Panthers’ medical staff before limping to the blue medical tent on Carolina’s sideline.
Brooks was subsequently carted from the medical tent to the Panthers’ locker room as the first quarter concluded.
The day after the game, Panthers head coach Dave Canales revealed that Brooks re-tore his ACL in the same right knee where he suffered his college injury and needed season-ending surgery.
“He’s heartbroken, I’m heartbroken,” Canales told reporters. “The whole group, just feeling for him.”
In three games, Brooks recorded nine carries for 22 yards while also catching three passes for 23 yards.
When Will Brooks Return From Injury?
Brooks previously tore his ACL in Nov. 2023 while playing college football for the Texas Longhorns. He spent most of his rookie season on the non-football injury (NFI) list while recovering from his first torn ACL.
SEE MORE: NFL Injury Report
The Panthers eased him back slowly and did not have him debut until Nov. 24 (Week 12). Given that Brooks has suffered the same injury, it would be unwise to expect a faster timeline for 2025. A similar timeframe for his sophomore season debut can be expected, and if anything, the Panthers could exercise even more caution for next season.
Speaking ahead of Week 15’s contest, Brooks said he hadn’t been given any firm timetable yet. ACL recoveries typically take 9-12 months, with Brooks landing on the longer end of that timeframe the first time.
How Will Brooks’ Absence Impact the Panthers?
In the short term, the Panthers are out of contention at 3-11 and playing for next season. Carolina has an answer in its backfield already, with Chuba Hubbard breaking out as the clear lead back in Brooks’ absence this season.
Hubbard ranks sixth in the NFL this season with 1,043 rushing yards through Week 15, his first career 1,000-yard rushing season. The fourth-year pro was on the final season of his rookie contract but signed a four-year, $33.2 million extension on Nov. 7.
That extension occurred before Brooks’ injury but now likely solidifies Hubbard as the clear lead running back for 2025 as well. Brooks is totally unproven given his limited sample size, and even a best-case scenario probably wouldn’t have him at full speed until the 2026 season given that he’s suffered back-to-back major right knee injuries.
For now, Carolina is simply attempting to identify building blocks amid their sixth straight double-digit loss season, the longest active streak in the NFL. While Hubbard has already solidified himself as one of those foundational pieces, it will be quite some time before we learn whether Brooks can join him in that category.
