Latest Injury Update on Two Key Panthers Raises Concern for Week 1

Veterans officially reported to training camp on Tuesday for the Carolina Panthers, which means the road to Week 1 of the 2024 season is underway. 

There’s a ton of intrigue surrounding the Panthers as they have a new head coach (Dave Canales), and made multiple changes on both sides of the ball. Carolina has a lot of new faces that fans cannot wait to see on the field.

Panthers general manager Dan Morgan spoke with reporters on Tuesday, discussing multiple topics, including the statutes of D.J. Wonnum and rookie Jonathon Brooks. Both players will play an integral role on the team but are working their way back from their respective injuries.

Morgan told the media there’s no timeline for Wonnum or Brooks, per Sheena Quick. Wonnum was placed on the active/PUP list at the end of last week, while Brooks was sent to the active/NFI list.

The Panthers signed Wonnum to a two-year, $12.5 million contract this offseason, and are expecting him to be a factor off the edge this season. 

The veteran outside linebacker shined in his last season with the Vikings, posting 62 combined tackles, 15 quarterback hits, eight sacks, seven tackles for loss, six pass deflections, and a defensive touchdown. 

Wonnum missed the final two games of the regular season due to a quad tear that he’s still rehabbing from. 

Finally, Brooks is rehabbing from a torn ACL he suffered last November at the University of Texas. The Panthers will not rush Brooks back as they have Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders.

However, when healthy, Brooks is the best running back on the roster and is a future piece of this Panthers’ offense. Panthers fans hope Wonnum and Brooks can return to the field sometime this summer and be ready for Week 1.

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