Panthers Lose Brooks Again
Panthers Running Back Jonathon Brooks Expected to Miss Six Weeks After Surgery
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Key Points
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The Panthers are working out free-agent running back Austin Ekeler, who is reportedly fully recovered from the torn Achilles that ended his 2025 season after two games. Ekeler has 4,765 career rushing yards and 4,288 receiving yards, but durability is a concern: he missed three games in 2023, five in 2024 and 15 in 2025.
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Chuba Hubbard had already carried the Panthers’ rushing attack, recording 22 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown in the team’s first two games.
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Brooks’ latest injury follows a groin issue he experienced in the lead-up to Carolina’s season opener against the Chicago Bears, before he aggravated it against Atlanta.
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Brooks was selected 46th overall in the 2024 draft, making him the highest-drafted running back that year, but he has now missed substantial time because of back-to-back ACL tears and the latest groin injury.
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The injury occurred during Carolina’s 34-3 victory over Atlanta, with Brooks leaving the game in the fourth quarter after the Panthers listed the issue as a groin injury.
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks will undergo core-muscle surgery and be placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least six weeks, AP News reported. Brooks aggravated a groin injury in the fourth quarter of Carolina's 34-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on September 20, limping off the field with a towel over his head. The injury marks the third major setback for the 23-year-old since the Panthers drafted him 46th overall in 2024.
Brooks has appeared in just five regular-season games across three years due to back-to-back ACL tears and now this core-muscle injury. Chuba Hubbard, already the team's leading rusher with 22 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown through two games, will shoulder the primary load. The Panthers are also working out free-agent veteran Austin Ekeler, who recovered from a torn Achilles sustained in September 2025.
Brooks' Injury History Continues Troubling Pattern
Brooks suffered a right ACL tear at Texas before the 2024 draft, then tore the same knee again in December 2024 during his rookie season. He missed the entire 2025 season on the physically unable to perform list. NFL Media reported that coaches cleared him with no limitations for Week 1 against Chicago despite pre-season groin soreness in August and early September.
Through just two games in 2026, Brooks managed only nine carries for 30 yards and two receptions for 43 yards. The latest groin issue emerged during training camp, improved enough for his Week 1 debut, then worsened against Atlanta. At 23 years old, Brooks' inability to stay on the field threatens the high value Carolina invested in drafting him in the first round.
Chuba Hubbard Steps Into Lead Role
Chuba Hubbard emerged as Carolina's primary ball carrier even before Brooks' latest injury. Through two games, Hubbard logged 22 carries for 102 yards and one rushing touchdown, establishing himself as the bellcow back. Panthers Wire noted the team drafted Hubbard as a complementary back, but volume and opportunity have made him the clear starter moving forward.
With Brooks sidelined for six weeks minimum, Hubbard will see increased touches in both the run and pass game. AJ Dillon provides a secondary option. The Panthers' coaching staff appears committed to riding Hubbard's current momentum through the next month-plus while exploring upgrades at the position through free agency.
Austin Ekeler, Other Veterans in Mix
The Panthers are hosting free-agent running back Austin Ekeler for a workout. The 31-year-old veteran suffered a torn Achilles in September 2025 but is now fully recovered, NFL Trade Rumors reported. Ekeler carries impressive career credentials: 4,765 rushing yards, 4,288 receiving yards, and three separate 1,400-yard scrimmage seasons.
Durability concerns dog Ekeler's resume. He missed three games in 2023, five in 2024, and 15 in 2025. Still, his proven ability as a pass-catcher and receiver out of the backfield makes him an attractive fit for Carolina's scheme. The Panthers may also explore other free agents as they plan for Brooks' extended absence and Trevor Etienne's similar IR status.
Timeline Points to Mid-November Return Window
A core-muscle surgical repair typically requires six to eight weeks of recovery. With surgery scheduled immediately after Ian Rapoport's September 23 report, a realistic return timeline points to mid-to-late November 2026. Head Coach Dave Canales had cleared Brooks with no limitations before Week 1, stating he wanted to see him play and utilize his talents.
The Panthers' front office remains invested in Brooks' long-term upside despite the mounting injury history. Returning him for the stretch run and playoffs would allow Carolina to evaluate whether the explosive first-round prospect can finally stay healthy and contribute meaningfully after 31 missed games across 36 potential contests since 2024.
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