Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks Misses Two Practices Due to Soreness

Jonathon Brooks sat out the first two practices following the NFL cut-down deadline, though coach Dave Canales expects him available for Week 1.

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks remained sidelined for the first two practice sessions following the NFL roster cut-down deadline. Despite the absence, head coach Dave Canales expressed confidence on Wednesday regarding the rookie’s availability for the Week 1 opener against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 13. Brooks is currently managing unspecified soreness, a development Canales addressed Tuesday without identifying the exact location of the discomfort.

Before this recent setback, Brooks participated in the entirety of training camp and appeared in two preseason contests. During his first professional game action, the running back recorded 23 rushing yards on eight carries, averaging 2.7 yards per attempt. He also contributed in the passing game, hauling in one reception for nine yards. These 17 total preseason snaps represented his first live repetitions since December 2024, when he suffered a right ACL retear against the Philadelphia Eagles during his rookie campaign.

Injury History and Draft Pedigree

Brooks entered the NFL as the 46th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. His collegiate career with the Texas Longhorns ended prematurely in 2023 due to an initial tear of his right ACL. The current soreness follows a recovery process involving back-to-back surgeries on that same right knee. The Panthers view the second-year player as a vital component of a backfield rotation that features veteran Chuba Hubbard.

Hubbard, the projected primary option, has dealt with his own health hurdles recently. A calf injury hampered his 2025 season, and a hamstring issue limited his participation for the majority of this year's preseason. However, Hubbard returned to the practice field on Tuesday and maintained his activity through Wednesday’s session. The team envisions a tandem dynamic between Hubbard and Brooks, mirroring the previous partnership of Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, who departed for the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency.

Roster Adjustments and Backfield Depth

General Manager Dan Morgan finalized a three-man active running back room following the August cut-down date. Joining Brooks and Hubbard is journeyman AJ Dillon. The depth chart saw a significant shift when Trevor Etienne was placed on injured reserve with a "designation for return" tag. Etienne, who served as the primary kick and punt returner last season, is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, though Morgan anticipates his return later this year.

Brooks is expected to earn significant playing time by utilizing his skill set as a receiver out of the backfield. His ability to catch passes provides a tactical counterpoint to Hubbard's rushing style. The coaching staff continues to monitor the 46th pick's recovery timeline to ensure he is prepared for the 17-snap workload or greater when the regular season commences in Chicago.

Canales Remains Optimistic for Week 1

Coach Canales stated Wednesday, "I'm very optimistic he'll be available for Week 1," despite the running back missing consecutive practices. The team has not provided a specific timeline for when the soreness might subside enough for Brooks to resume full football activities. The Panthers are prioritizing the long-term health of the former Longhorn, given his history of two major knee procedures in less than two years.

With Etienne unavailable for the start of the season, the health of the remaining trio becomes paramount. The Panthers' offensive strategy relies heavily on the rotation between the veteran Hubbard and the young Brooks to maintain a consistent ground attack. As the Sept. 13 matchup against the Bears approaches, the focus remains on whether Brooks can transition from the sideline back to the active roster to make his regular-season debut.