Jonathon Brooks was the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft despite an ACL tear during his final season at Texas. The Carolina Panthers patiently took the long view in Brooks’ rehab, delaying his NFL debut until the middle of the season.
Unfortunately, Brooks was back on the shelf with another devastating injury in December after just three games and missed the entirety of the remaining season. Now, one NFL insider has an even bigger unfortunate update for the Panthers.
What Is Jonathon Brooks’ Injury?
Brooks suffered a non-contact knee injury late in the first quarter of the Panthers’ Week 14 game against the Eagles. The second-round pick received on-field attention from the Panthers’ medical staff before limping to the blue medical tent on Carolina’s sideline.
Brooks was carted from the medical tent to the Panthers’ locker room as the first quarter concluded.
The day after the game, Panthers head coach Dave Canales revealed that Brooks re-tore his ACL in the same right knee where he suffered his college injury and needed season-ending surgery.
“He’s heartbroken, I’m heartbroken,” Canales told reporters. “The whole group, just feeling for him.”
In three games, Brooks recorded nine carries for 22 yards while also catching three passes for 23 yards, and it seems his professional career stats will also be the same at the end of the 2025 season.
When Will Brooks Return From Injury?
Brooks previously tore his ACL in Nov. 2023 while playing college football for the Texas Longhorns. He spent most of his rookie season on the non-football injury (NFI) list while recovering from his first torn ACL.
The Panthers eased him back slowly and did not have him debut until Nov. 24 (Week 12). Given that Brooks has suffered the same injury, expecting a faster timeline for 2025 would be unwise.
ACL recoveries typically take 9-12 months, with Brooks landing the first time on the longer end of that timeframe. Joe Person of The Athletic agrees and says Brooks will miss the entire 2025 season.
What Does It Mean For The Panthers in The 2025 Season?
Brooks’ absence didn’t have much impact on the Panthers last season, with Chuba Hubbard having an impressive year as lead tailback. He had his first career 1,000-yard rushing season in 2024, rushing for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns in 15 games. He also made 43 receptions for 171 yards and one touchdown.
The fourth-year pro was on the final season of his rookie contract but signed a four-year, $33.2 million extension on Nov. 7.
That extension occurred before Brooks’ injury but now likely solidifies Hubbard as the clear lead running back for 2025 as well. Given his limited sample size, Brooks is totally unproven, and even a best-case scenario probably wouldn’t have him at full speed until the 2026 season, given that he’s suffered back-to-back major right knee injuries.
For now, Carolina would be looking to upgrade its defense, which ranked dead last in PFSN’s Defense+ metric. That’s also why it is projected to pick safety Malaki Starks at No.8 in PFSN’s latest mock draft.