Jonathon

Brooks

It’s part of the reason why the Panthers are willing to let Rico Dowdle leave in free agency. With Chuba Hubbard as the main back, Brooks would likely not be a major part of the offense even if he got to camp healthy after losing most of his NFL career to date to ACL tears. Still, he’s going to be just 23 this offseason, it’s hard to completely give up hope on him. He’ll battle Trevor Etienne for the main backup role if the Panthers don’t bring in anyone else.

Brooks missed the entire 2025 season after tearing his ACL for the second time in 2024. He’s still entering his age-23 season and the third year of his rookie contract, so we can’t rule out that he’ll see a real role with the Panthers in 2026. How the Panthers treat Rico Dowdle (or a replacement for Dowdle) in free agency will likely tell us a lot about how they view Brooks’ recovery, but Panthers GM Dan Morgan did praise how he was attacking his rehab and said he’s “looking great.”

What a brutal break for a once-promising player. Brooks, now just 21 years old, slipped to the 2024 NFL Draft’s second round due to his 2023 ACL tear. He then made his rookie season debut in Week 10, only to re-tear the ligament in Week 14. He will miss the entire 2025 season. The front office signed Chuba Hubbard to a four-year contract extension back in November, signed Rico Dowdle to a one-year deal in March and spent a fourth-round pick on former Georgia RB Trevor Etienne just two weeks ago. The Panthers sure don’t seem to be waiting on Brooks to return healthy in 2026, and neither should dynasty leaguers.

The 6-foot, 215-pound Dowdle is a great fit for the Panthers’ backfield, capable of handling north-south rushing work, and even contributing in the passing game, while Chuba Hubbard takes a breather. The Panthers needed a reliable backup with 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks (knee) on the mend, and Dowdle fits the bill. Dowdle’s deal includes a $2.75 million base salary. Dowdle in 2024 ranked 13th among running backs in yards after contact per rush and had one of the lowest rushing stuff rates in the NFL. He should hold considerable contingency value should Hubbard miss time.

Person drew up a running back pick in a mock draft for Carolina and called it a “sneaky position of need” for the Panthers. The backfield behind Chuba Hubbard is now in complete flux with Brooks down and Miles Sanders an “expected cut.” It is not broadly surprising that Brooks can’t be trusted for fantasy purposes in 2025 given how ugly the injury looked when it happened in December. Carolina could look to find a “change-of-pace back who can catch and motor” behind Hubbard, per Person. It’s possible they’ll also bring in additional veteran help this offseason.

It’s a brutal blow for Brooks, who made his NFL debut in Week 12 after suffering a torn ACL in the same knee in November 2023 while playing at Texas. This was the immediate concern for Brooks when he suffered the non-contact injury in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles and needed to be carted off the field. Now, he will begin yet another long rehab process in hopes of being ready in time for training camp, although it wouldn’t be surprising if his 2025 season followed a similar path to this season given the timing of the injury. Brooks totaled 45 scoreless yards from scrimmage on 12 touches this season.

Brooks suffered a non-contact injury in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles and needed to be carted off the field. It’s a brutal setback for the second-round rookie who spent all offseason and the majority of this season rehabbing from a torn ACL he suffered last November while playing with the Texas Longhorns. To make matters potentially worse, Sunday’s injury was to the same leg Brooks injured last season. The Panthers haven’t made any predictions on what this could mean for the remainder of Brooks’ season, but the early signs are pointing to this being a season-ender.

On his first carry, Brooks tried to plant for a cut and immediately hit the turf. He tried to hobble off but couldn’t make it to the sideline and had to be helped off to the medical tent. From there, he was carted to the locker room. It certainly seems like this will end his rookie season. Official word will likely come down on Monday. With Raheem Blackshear also hurt this is currently a) Chuba Hubbard’s backfield and b) a likely spot for reinforcements this week.

Brooks was the only Panthers running back to earn a target in this one and starter Chuba Hubbard lost a fumble in overtime. This backfield could look noticeably different in Week 14. Brooks maintained balance through contact after the catch and ripped off an explosive gain through the air. He finished with four total missed tackles forced—the first four of his career. Fantasy managers should add him wherever available. He is a potential RB4 against the Eagles in Week 14.

Brooks was held to a couple carries in his NFL debut while Chuba Hubbard had 17 touches. Hubbard saw all the red zone work and was the only Carolina running back to log a pass route in Week 12. Brooks for now is a bench stash in case Hubbard misses time in the season’s final month.