Panthers Get Huge Jonathon Brooks Injury Update to Start 3rd Week of Offseason

One of the biggest storylines this season for the Carolina Panthers was the potential NFL debut for rookie running back Jonathon Brooks. The Panthers took Brooks in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft despite the young running back suffering a torn ACL in his final year of college football.

The former Texas Longhorns running back didn’t participate in preseason or training camp but eventually made his NFL debut in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The rookie didn’t do much in his debut, recording seven yards on two carries (five offensive snaps), but it was good to see him back on the field.

Brooks would appear in the Panthers’ next two games but suffered another devastating knee injury in Week 14 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 21-year-old running back tore his ACL again in his right knee, ending his rookie season abruptly.

Panthers fans were excited to see the young running back on the field, but now he has another long rehab ahead of him.

On Sunday, Joe Person of The Athletic reported Brooks had a successful second ACL surgery on his right knee last week. Person adds the former Longhorn standout will miss all of the 2025 season.

Based on this latest update from Person, it will be interesting to see what the Panthers do this offseason at running back. Carolina has starter Chuba Hubbard locked in for multiple years and still has Miles Sanders under contract for 2025.

But with how Sanders has looked throughout the first two years of his Panthers career, Carolina could look to move on as he has a potential out in his contract.

If that’s the case, the Panthers could sign a veteran running back in free agency or draft another RB, especially with Brooks likely missing the 2025 season.

More Panthers news and analysis: