The outlook is bleak for Jonathon Brooks and the Carolina Panthers. On Monday, head coach Dave Canales confirmed that the rookie running back tore the ACL in his right knee, effectively ending his season. The injury occurred during the first half of Sunday’s 22-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, where Brooks collapsed without contact, sparking immediate concern.
This setback comes just three weeks after Brooks made his NFL debut. A second-round draft pick, Brooks spent training camp and the preseason on the non-football injury (NFI) list, recovering from a prior ACL tear in the same knee suffered in November 2023 while playing for Texas. He didn’t see regular-season action until Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“He’s put his heart into getting here,” Canales said, expressing empathy for Brooks. “He’s devastated. I’m devastated. The whole team feels for him. We’ll support him through this journey, and he’s strong enough to tackle it. His focus will shift to a new goal, and we believe he can achieve it.”
Canales confirmed that an MRI on Monday revealed no further damage beyond the ACL tear. When asked if a return by 2026 was realistic, Canales responded, “I really don’t know. We’ll know more after surgery.”
Brooks sustained the injury during the first quarter while attempting a run. After a handoff, he tried to cut outside but went down for a 3-yard loss. Initially limping, he eventually collapsed again before reaching the sidelines. Trainers and teammate Chuba Hubbard attended to him on the field before he was taken to the blue medical tent and then carted off to the locker room. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Following the incident, Canales initially noted the team needed additional imaging to confirm the extent of the injury.
The loss of Brooks is a tough blow for the Panthers, who have recently shown promising signs of progress despite a string of losses. A young quarterback stepping up, a defense gaining momentum, and a backfield poised for growth—including Hubbard as the present and Brooks as the future—had offered hope.
In his three NFL appearances, Brooks showcased potential, recording 22 rushing yards and 23 receiving yards on 12 touches. Last week against the Buccaneers, he contributed five consecutive touches during a drive that ended in a field goal.
By Sunday’s second half, the Panthers were down to one healthy running back, Hubbard. Both Brooks and Raheem Blackshear, a third-string back and primary returner, were injured in the first half. Meanwhile, Miles Sanders, previously the RB2, remains on injured reserve due to an ankle injury sustained against the Giants.
Addressing the team’s running back situation, Canales announced plans to promote Mike Boone from the practice squad and indicated that free-agent options are under consideration. Still, his primary focus remains on Brooks’ recovery and future.
