Jonathon Brooks was the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he has yet to make his pro debut as he recovers from an ACL tear he suffered while in college. When can we expect to see the Carolina Panthers‘ talented rookie running back on the field?
What Happened to Jonathon Brooks?
On Nov. 11, 2023, Brooks suffered a torn ACL in Texas’ game against TCU. Shortly after, Brooks had surgery, ending his season and his collegiate career.
Prior to his injury, Brooks had rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 games and caught 25 passes for 286 yards and a touchdown.
Here's 3 minutes of Jonathon Brooks being an absolute beast for your timeline today pic.twitter.com/bue2kdMP1p
— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) July 25, 2023
Brooks was still the first running back selected in April’s 2024 NFL Draft, going No. 46 overall to the Panthers. He was the only running back drafted in the first two rounds.
Brooks began the 2024 NFL season on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, forcing him to miss the first four games of the season. Even though the injury happened while playing football, he’s on the NFI list since it occurred prior to him entering the the league.
When Will Jonathan Brooks Return from Injury?
The NFI list is tantamount to the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and the same rules apply for his return. Last week, the Panthers officially designated Brooks to resume practicing, opening his three-week practice window.
Brooks (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday. Brooks sandwiched a pair of capped practices around a scheduled day off last Thursday, so his ability to put together back-to-back limited sessions to kick off this week is a good sign for the rookie second-round pick as he gets back into football shape.
The Panthers may make a ruling on his status for a Week 8 matchup in Denver on Friday’s injury report, but in order for him to be available for game action, the team will need to activate him from the reserve/non-football injury list.
The Panthers will face the Denver Broncos this weekend and the New Orleans Saints in Week 9. How Brooks responds to practice will determine when we see him on the field.
Fantasy Outlook for Brooks and Chuba Hubbard
Brooks tore his ACL against TCU on November 11, 2023, and is nearing his professional debut. How the 1-6 Panthers go about using their second-round pick is anyone’s guess, but for our purposes, things appear to be pretty straightforward.
Chuba Hubbard is averaging 5.2 yards per carry and 17.9 touches per game for Carolina, giving the team every excuse to ease in Brooks, understanding that the rookie isn’t going to save their already lost 2024 season.
This may not sound ideal for those of us who invested in Brooks this summer, but I actually like how this lines up because it means you don’t have to guess. You’re benching Brooks. You are in a position to wait and see. Is it possible that Brooks is given enough work to be Flexed with time? It is, but I need to see it, maybe twice, before acting on it.
He could play before the Week 11 bye, but I’d be surprised if he is fantasy-relevant before Thanksgiving. The idea that Carolina could treat Brooks like Las Vegas did Zamir White last season is my hope and why I’m holding in spots where I have a competitive team. The Raiders used last December as a trial run for what the next season was going to look like. With Hubbard a free agent after this season, there is a path to similar usage.
As for Hubbard, he has at least 17 touches in five straight games and has finished no worse than an RB2 in six straight. At this point, Hubbard is essentially matchup-proof, though there is no denying that his upside looks very different when this team is remotely competitive.
Hubbard hasn’t earned a single target in the two 30-point losses this season, but he has at least four grabs in every other game. The Broncos have allowed the fifth-lowest running back rushing touchdown rate and held Alvin Kamara to just 10 yards on seven carries last week. The matchup puts him on the fringe of RB1 status instead of the middle of it: You’re starting him wherever you have him and continuing to do so until we get a feel for the Panthers’ plan for Brooks.