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Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks Set for Core Muscle Surgery, Out at Least Six Weeks
Confirmed
In Short: Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks will undergo core muscle surgery and miss at least six weeks.
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is set to undergo core muscle surgery and will be sidelined for at least six weeks, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Brooks left Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter with a groin injury, walking to the tunnel with a towel over his head.
The Panthers placed Brooks on injured reserve Wednesday, meaning he will miss at least the next four games.
With Brooks out, the team is bringing in veteran free-agent running back Austin Ekeler for a visit Wednesday to add depth behind RB1 Chuba Hubbard.
Brooks, a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, has had a tumultuous start to his career due to multiple injuries.
He played only three games as a rookie after suffering a torn ACL in college and tearing it again in his NFL debut.
The Panthers held Brooks out of the entire 2025 season to recover from his second ACL tear.
This year, Brooks seemed healthy during training camp and was expected to lead the backfield, but he had only 11 touches over the first two games, rushing nine times for 30 yards and catching two passes for 43 yards.
Brooks' latest injury setback is a blow to the Panthers' hopes of having a strong running game this season.
The team is optimistic about Hubbard's performance and is now looking to Ekeler to provide additional depth.
Safety Isaiah Simmons was promoted from the practice squad to fill the void left by Brooks' injury.
What this adds
The extent of Brooks' recovery timeline remains uncertain, and the team's reliance on Hubbard and potential new signings underscores the challenges they face.
What's confirmed
- The Carolina Panthers placed running back Jonathon Brooks on injured reserve Wednesday, meaning he will have to miss at least the next four games.
- After a strong collegiate career at the University of Texas, Brooks was the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL draft, as the Panthers took him 46th overall in the second round.
What's still developing
- With Brooks out, the Panthers are bringing in former Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler for a workout, league sources told ESPN, confirming a report by KPRC 2.
- He missed the bulk of his rookie season while recovering from the first surgery on his right knee, an injury that occurred during his final year at Texas.
- Tepper said that's great, but now he'd like to see Young — and the Panthers as a team — start games faster.
- (AP) — When Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper traded up to draft quarterback Bryce Young with the No.
- Tepper declined to say if the Panthers have offered Young a long-term deal — one that would reaffirm the organization's believe that he is worthy of being a franchise quarterback.
- But Tepper is pleased with the way Young progressed in his third season, leading the Panthers to the NFC South title and snapping a seven-year playoff drought before losing 34-31 to the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of the playoffs.
- According to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Friday that Brooks is off the injury report and ready to go against the Bears.
- In 2023, he rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns at Texas, and the Panthers have been waiting ever since to see if he can translate that type of production at the next level.
- However, the Panthers finally got some good news regarding Brooks' status for Week 1.
- He added that Brooks will play with “no limitations.” That is certainly great news given Brooks' lengthy injury history.
- However, it looks like Brooks will finally be back on the field this Sunday to create an intriguing one-two punch with fellow Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard.
- Unfortunately, in just his third game back, Brooks suffered a non-contact injury on his first carry and tore the ACL in his right knee for a second time, ending his season.