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    Brooks, Hubbard, Etienne take first-team reps

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    CAR Running Back #24
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    The Charlotte Observers’ Mike Kaye reports that Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks took some first-team reps at training camp on Thursday.

    Earlier today, NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported that “there will be no limitations” for Brooks (knee). First-team usage seemingly affirms that. The team hopes Brooks forms a one-two punch with RB Chuba Hubbard before taking over as the starter at some point. Backup RB Trevor Etienne “also got his fair share of reps, and he worked with the starters as well in the running back rotation.” This is somewhat surprising, and worth keeping an eye on. Regarding Brooks’ showing, Kaye says he “looked quick as he bobbed and weaved with the ball in his hands.” He notably took “a mild hit,” but “showed no signs of struggle afterward.” Brooks looks like a high-upside, risk-reward type of pick right now.
Have expectations 'in check' for Nabers this week
Patrick Daugherty and Denny Carter consider Malik Nabers return to practice, but advise to temper expectations this week for the superstar wide receiver.

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  • CAR Running Back #25
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    Now we know what Brooks has been dealing with for the past week or so. Beginning the week with a limited session is a good sign regarding his Week 1 availability, but obviously we hope to see him practice fully as soon as possible, given his extensive injury history. He could end up rotating in behind RB Chuba Hubbard if active.
  • CAR Running Back #25
    Head coach Dave Canales declined to provide an update on Brooks’ status Monday after saying last week that he was “very optimistic” that Brooks would play in Week 1 against the Bears. The Panthers won’t release their first official injury report until Wednesday, which should give us a better idea of where things stand for Brooks in the season opener. The 23-year-old back has had a strong training camp and is expected to split work with Chuba Hubbard if active. Both RBs should be viewed in the RB3 range for Week 1 if active.
  • CAR Running Back #25
    Brooks is dealing with some soreness that the team hasn’t elaborated on any further. It’s likely maintenance for a player who has barely played any football over the past two seasons, but this is still a situation for fantasy managers to monitor. With Chuba Hubbard back at practice after missing time with a hamstring issue, we’re likely looking at a backfield by committee in Week 1. Both backs will be stuck in the RB3 ranks versus Chicago.
  • CAR Running Back #25
    Brooks has now worked to the side in two straight practices and Panthers coaches are being cagy about his ailment. It’s not a great develop less than two weeks ahead of Carolina’s season opener. Chub Hubbard, meanwhile, is back at practice after being sidelined with a hamstring injury for a couple weeks. Brooks’ practice status will be very much worth monitoring in the coming days. He appears to be nothing more than a touchdown-dependent flex for right now.
  • CAR Running Back #30
    The team’s plan, per Graziano, is for Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks to split carries this season. That comes as little surprise. “If Hubbard stays healthy, he’s the one in whom they’ve built up more trust, so I’d expect him to be the one the Panthers lean on to try to grind out games when they have the lead,” Graziano said. “The split should be pretty close, but it would not be a surprise at all to get to the end of the season and see that Hubbard got the majority of the work.” Brooks on Tuesday practiced to the side while Hubbard (hamstring) practiced in full. It’s a concerning situation for those who have gone in on Brooks as Carolina’s lead back.
  • CAR Running Back #25
    We’re not sure what Brooks is dealing with but his practice status will be something to monitor in the coming days. Chuba Hubbard, meanwhile, is practicing in full after missing weeks with a hamstring issue. Brooks headed into 2026 with a chance to be the Panthers’ lead back after fighting back through a series of catastrophic injuries. Carolina’s backfield could prove frustrating for fantasy purposes this season.
  • CAR Running Back #23
    Etienne will be eligible to come off IR after the first four weeks of the 2026 regular season. He got some buzz during offseason workouts and training camp but has exceedingly little chance of seeing significant regular season snaps for Carolina. Etienne as a rookie in 2025 had 20 carries for 94 scoreless yards, functioning mostly as a kick returner. AJ Dillon will be the depth back behind Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks as things stand right now.
  • CAR Running Back #30
    Hubbard is still working his way back from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since mid-August, but if the 27-year-old back is good to go, he is expected to see work alongside Jonathon Brooks, who seems to finally be healthy after an injury-plagued start to his first three years in the league. An RBBC situation would be a pain for fantasy managers to navigate during the early part of the season, but if it comes down to it, hopefully we will get an early sense of how Canales plans to deploy both backs so we can better understand their viability for fantasy purposes.
  • CAR Running Back #25
    Brooks played 11-of-13 plays over the Panthers’ first two drives, giving way to RB Trevor Etienne on a 3rd-and-4 play. Brooks subbed right back in after that and punched in a one-yard touchdown two plays later. With RB Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) currently sidelined, it’s tough to draw a complete conclusion, but as things currently stand, Brooks looks like the featured running back in Carolina. Hopefully, he can refine his pass protection and remain on the field for third downs at some point.
  • CAR Running Back #25
    It was his first game action in 20 months. The Panthers’ offense, playing their starters three series, looked dead on arrival against the Bills on Saturday. But Brooks did start with Chuba Hubbard sidelined, validating the training camp drumbeat that he’d be in the mix early. He’s at least an interesting bench option in standard leagues at this point, and could perhaps turn into more.

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    Davis Allen is being evaluated for a concussion.

    Allen has one catch for 13 yards, and likely is done for the day. The 25-year-old backup will need to clear protocol to play in Week 2 against the Giants.
    - Christopher Crawford
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    Jake Tonges (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Week 1 against the Rams.

    Tonges finished without a target before exiting near the end of the second quarter. The 27-year-old will have a chance to return in Week 2 against the Giants, but his status for that game — and the weeks after — should be updated by early next week.
    - Christopher Crawford
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    Jake Tonges (knee) is questionable to return against the Rams in Week 1.

    Tonges limped off the field after suffering his knee injury near the end of the first half. Assuming he doesn’t return, Luke Ferrell will get the snaps behind George Kittle and feature in two tight end sets.
    - Christopher Crawford
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    De’Zhaun Stribling (ankle) has been ruled for the remainder of Week 1 against the Rams.

    Stribling was carted off during Friday’s contest, and finished without a catch in his NFL debut. He’ll get a little longer to potentially return for Week 2 against the Dolphins, but obviously his status for that contest is very much in doubt.
    - Christopher Crawford
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    De’Zhaun Stribling (ankle) exited Week 1 against the Rams on a cart.

    Stribling hurt the ankle earlier in the contest, and while he was able to return shortly after, the rookie wideout was unable to continue and exited on the vehicle. It’s likely he won’t return to Friday’s game, but there should be an update on his status soon.
    - Christopher Crawford
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    Cowboys signed TE Brevyn Spann-Ford to a three-year extension through 2029.

    Spann-Ford initially signed on with the Cowboys as a 2024 undrafted free agent. He has caught 18 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown since then. The front office is evidently pleased with his development. He is not worth rostering in 12-team leagues. The deal is worth $18 million with $12.075 million guaranteed.
  • ARI Outside Linebacker #10
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    Cardinals EDGE Josh Sweat (knee/rest) was limited on Thursday.

    Sweat barely practiced this summer, supposedly dealing with a knee injury, while the Cardinals brass assured reporters that there was nothing to see here. The player was reportedly displeased with the team, but as of Week 1 practices, he remains a Cardinal. He is on track to face the Chargers this weekend.
  • LA Wide Receiver #8
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    Rams declared WR Tutu Atwell, WR CJ Daniels, OL Bill Murray, TE Max Klare and QB Ty Simpson inactive for Week 1 against the 49ers.

    The Rams acquired Atwell via trade in August. Although he already knows the system, coach Sean McVay evidently feels that Atwell is unnecessary for this one. Incumbent QB Stetson Bennett has officially defeated Simpson for the QB2 job. Simpson is inactive, but has been labeled the emergency third quarterback.
  • SF Running Back #29
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    49ers declared RB Jordan James inactive for Week 1 against the Rams.

    James has officially lost the backup job to rookie RB Kaelon Black, who should be safely stashed on fantasy benches before kickoff. The 49ers also declared QB Kurtis Rourke, CB Ephesians Prysock, WR Jordan Watkins, LB Tatum Bethune and OT Enrique Cruz inactive for Week 1 against the Rams.
  • NE Wide Receiver #1
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Patriots WR A.J. Brown (ankle) will miss at least four weeks.

    NFL insider Jordan Schultz puts Brown’s return timeline between 3 and 6 weeks. Both reports make Brown a candidate to be placed on short-term injured reserve. The rest of the Patriots’ wide receiver corps failed to step up in Week 1. Newcomer WR Romeo Doubs will undoubtedly be given a chance to earn his hefty contract in Week 2.