Jonathon Brooks to Make Preseason Debut Saturday Against Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is scheduled to play in Saturday's preseason game at Highmark Stadium following back-to-back ACL surgeries.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales confirmed Wednesday that third-year running back Jonathon Brooks will play in Saturday’s preseason road game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. This appearance marks the first preseason action of Brooks' NFL career. The 2024 second-round pick is returning from consecutive ACL surgeries on his right knee, a recovery process that kept him out of NFL training camp practices until his initial workout on July 22. Canales stated that Brooks is "ready to rock" and will join the first-team offensive group for a couple of drives during the exhibition matchup in Orchard Park, New York.

Roster Rotation and Backfield Depth

Brooks will rotate in and out of the lineup with Chuba Hubbard as the Panthers' starters make their summer debuts. This game serves as the second preseason contest for Carolina. The depth chart behind Brooks and Hubbard currently features 2025 fourth-round selection Trevor Etienne, veteran AJ Dillon, practice-squad member Anthony Tyus III, and undrafted rookie Miles Davis. Brooks previously appeared in three NFL games as a rookie before suffering a torn right ACL against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in 2024. His professional tenure has been defined by knee surgeries that sidelined him during both of his first two NFL offseasons.

Injury Updates for Legette and Lewis

While Brooks is cleared for live contact, rookie receiver Xavier Legette is unlikely to participate in Saturday's game. The former first-round pick is currently recovering from a stinger sustained earlier in training camp. Despite his projected absence against the Bills, Legette participated in Wednesday's padded practice and caught a "walk-off touchdown" from quarterback Bryce Young to conclude the session. Canales noted that while Legette is playing fast, the coaching staff has not yet brought him to the necessary level of conditioning for game action.

Offensive Line and Practice Notes

Left guard Damien Lewis returned to the practice field on Wednesday following a significant absence due to a calf injury. However, Canales indicated that Lewis is not expected to suit up for the game in Orchard Park. The team's decision to play Brooks comes after he successfully navigated his first padded practice of the summer. The coaching staff intends to use the upcoming drives to evaluate the chemistry between the starting offensive unit and the returning running back. Brooks has not faced live contact in a game setting since his 2024 injury in Philadelphia.

Canales emphasized that the upcoming road test is the next logical step in Brooks' rehabilitation and integration into the scheme. The Panthers' coaching staff will monitor his workload specifically during the early drives to see how his right knee responds to game speed. The team concluded their Wednesday session in Charlotte, N.C., before finalizing the travel roster for the trip to New York. The exhibition against the Bills provides the first opportunity for the 2024 second-round pick to showcase his health following the July 22 return to the practice field.