Running back Jonathon Brooks has played only three games since the Panthers drafted him in the second round in 2024. He missed all of 2025 with a twice-repaired ACL in his right knee.
Coach Dave Canales announced Monday that Brooks is expected to participate in offseason workouts, saying Brooks has progressed to the point where he’s ready to be “put in a football scenario with other people around him.’'
“I know what he looked like prior to the injury,’' Canales said at the NFL owners meetings Monday, via David Newton of ESPN. “I know what that player looks like, so I have that in the back of my mind. And that’s a vision that I hope he has, too, so we can go and attack that.’'
Brooks’ first knee surgery came in November 2023 while he was at the University of Texas. The Panthers still used the 46th overall pick on him, knowing he would miss most of his rookie season.
Brooks missed nine games in 2024 before re-injuring the knee in his third career game, forcing him to miss all of last season.
His expected return is why the Panthers let Rico Dowdle walk, leaving Brooks, Chuba Hubbard, AJ Dillon and Trevor Etienne in the running backs room.
“We’ll make sure we do the right thing for Jonathon for sure,” Canales said. “But I see the excitement. He’s been in the building, he’s been working out, full training with our guys. I know that he’s excited about this opportunity.’'
Panthers Clips
The Orlando Storm have named Jack Plummer the team’s starter, James Larsen of UFL Newsroom reports.
Plummer beat out Dorian Thompson-Robinson during the team’s UFL camp.
Plummer, 26, spent 2024 and the 2025 offseason and preseason with the Panthers. Carolina signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
He appeared in six preseason games for the Panthers, completing 66 of 106 passes (68.6 percent) for 616 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Plummer has never played in a regular-season game.
Thompson-Robinson, 26, was a fifth-round pick of the Browns in 2023. He has played 15 games with five starts in his NFL career, but did not play a down in 2025 after the Eagles waived him out of the preseason.
Orlando begins its season on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET against the Columbus Aviators.
New Panthers left tackle Rasheed Walker was arrested at LaGuardia Airport on Jan. 23 after telling an airline employee he had a firearm and ammunition in his baggage. He was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.
Walker, via David Newton of ESPN, said Thursday that the charges will be dismissed.
During his introductory news conference on Thursday, Walker referred all other questions to his attorney,
The gun was licensed in Wisconsin, and Walker’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, told the New York Post in January that Walker was unaware he couldn’t travel with a licensed firearm in a locked box.
Walker, who started 48 games in four seasons with the Packers, signed a one-year deal worth up to $10 million with the Panthers in free agency.
The Bills made three additions to their 2026 roster on Thursday.
The team announced it signed center Lloyd Cushenberry III, wide receiver Trent Sherfield Sr. and center/guard Austin Corbett to one-year contracts.
Cushenberry’s last stop was a two-year stint with the Titans, where he started every game he appeared in (23) at center.
He began his career with the Broncos as a third-round draft pick in 2020, and he spent four seasons in Denver. He started 57 games for the Broncos.
Sherfield previously played for Buffalo in 2023.
In his first stint with the Bills, Sherfield made 11 catches for 86 yards and one touchdown.
Sherfield spent the 2025 season with the Broncos and on the practice squads of the Cardinals and Patriots. In 10 games and three starts with the Broncos, he caught three passes for 21 yards.
He started his career with the Cardinals in 2018, signing as an undrafted free agent.
Sherfield has also spent time with the 49ers, Dolphins and Vikings.
Corbett, who visited the Bills on Monday, spent the past four seasons with the Panthers.
He played all 17 games in 2022, his first season in Carolina, but missed 29 of a possible 51 games over the past three seasons.
The Browns made him a second-round pick in 2018, and he played 14 games before Cleveland traded him to the Rams during the 2019 season.
In his career, Corbett has appeared in 94 games with 78 starts.
Rasheed Walker didn’t land a multi-year deal out of the gate in free agency, but that hasn’t dimmed the offensive tackle’s confidence in what he’ll bring to the Panthers.
Walker agreed to a one-year deal with the reigning NFC South champions a few days into the new league year. The former Packers left tackle gives Carolina an experienced option at the position while Ikem Ekwonu recovers from a torn patellar tendon and he says that he’ll give the Panthers what they need for as long as they need it.
“I feel like wherever I landed, they were getting a steal anyway because what I bring to a team is, I bring intensity,” Walker said, via Darin Gantt of the team’s website. “I’m a great teammate. I work hard, and I go hard for my teammates. I feel like, by the grace of god, I landed in Carolina. I feel like it’s going to be a great fit and I’m just ready to do my job.”
If Walker makes good on that prediction, he’ll hit free agency again with an even stronger case to land the long-term deal he didn’t get this month.
The Andy Dalton trade has now become official.
The Panthers and Eagles announced on Tuesday morning that Dalton has been traded to Philadelphia in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2027 draft.
That means Dalton has passed his physical.
Dalton, 38, is now set to be a backup for Jalen Hurts. The Eagles also have Tanner McKee on their roster as an option at QB.
Since completing his tenure as Cincinnati’s starting quarterback in 2019, Dalton has played for the Cowboys, Bears, Saints, and Panthers. He’s started at least one game in each of his 15 seasons, including one for Carolina in 2025.
Free agent center Austin Corbett visited the Bills on Monday, according to the NFL’s transactions report.
Corbett, 30, spent the past four seasons with the Panthers, who replaced him in free agency by signing Luke Fortner.
He played all 17 games in 2022, his first season in Carolina, but missed 29 of a possible 51 games over the past three seasons.
The Browns made him a second-round pick in 2018, and he played 14 games before Cleveland traded him to the Rams during the 2019 season.
In his career, Corbett has appeared in 94 games with 78 starts.
The Buccaneers are signing free agent linebacker Christian Rozeboom, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports.
Rozeboom, 29, spent last season with the Panthers.
He led the team in tackles with 122 and added two sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and a pass defensed, making 15 starts and playing 823 defensive snaps.
Rozeboom went undrafted out of South Dakota State, signing with the Rams. He spent four seasons there, appearing in 60 games with 16 starts.
In his career, Rozeboom has totaled 347 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions, 11 pass breakups and a forced fumble.
The Panthers have agreed to terms with tight end Feleipe Franks and outside linebacker Nick Hampton, the team announced Friday night. Both are core special teams players.
Franks, 28, will sign a one-year deal.
He returns for a second stint with the Panthers, having played 16 games with the team in 2024.
The former University of Florida quarterback converted to tight end but has made a living on special teams. He has 128 snaps of offense in four seasons but has played 731 snaps of special teams.
The Rams made Hampton a fifth-round pick in 2023 out of Appalachian State, and he played 36 games in the past three seasons.
He has totaled 17 tackles and two passes defensed in his career, seeing action on 188 defensive snaps and 510 on special teams.
Wide receiver DJ Chark announced his retirement on Friday.
Chark has not played in the NFL since 2024, remaining a free agent all of the 2025 season after the Falcons released him during training camp.
“After much contemplation, I have decided to share a proper farewell as I navigate retirement,” Chark wrote on social media.
“My journey began at the age of 7 when I signed up for football, unaware of the profound impact it would have on my life. I simply loved the sport and had the unwavering support of my parents. Years later, I received the support of my wife, kids, family and thousands of fans!
“As I write this I reflect on the challenges I’ve faced and overcome, as well as the rewards I’ve reaped. I’ve learned to appreciate every experience and not take any of them for granted. As I enter this next chapter of my life, I remain committed to being an active pillar in my community, empowering the youth through charitable work.”
Chark played four seasons with the Jaguars after they made him a second-round pick in 2018. He also played with the Lions, Panthers and Chargers.
He finishes his career with 216 receptions for 3,100 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Chark made his only Pro Bowl in 2019 in his only season with 1,000 yards.
