Jonathon Brooks
Running Back #24
Jonathon Brooks News
Panthers "Very Optimistic" Jonathon Brooks Will Be Available in Week 1
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (undisclosed) spent Wednesday's practice working with trainers on a side field for the second day in a row, but head coach Dave Canales told reporters he was "very optimistic" about Brooks' availability for Week 1 against the Bears. A second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Brooks has appeared in only three career games, re-tearing the right ACL that ended his collegiate career after handling only 12 touches as a rookie. While Canales' update offers reassurance about his availability, questions about his role still make Brooks a difficult fantasy start to begin the year, as conflicting reports out of training camp have painted a muddied picture of how he might split work with veteran Chuba Hubbard in 2026. The talent that made Brooks the first running back off the board in 2024 is still apparent, and with the higher-upside case among Carolina's backs, he is well worth taking a shot on later in drafts as RotoBaller's RB33.
Sep 2, 2026 9:40 AM EST
Jonathon Brooks Off to the Side Again on Wednesday
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (undisclosed) is working off to the side with a trainer for the second straight day in practice on Wednesday, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. Head coach Dave Canales said that Brooks had some "soreness" on Tuesday, but he would not specify where. Brooks has been gaining steam as the potential lead back in Carolina in 2026 over Chuba Hubbard, who had a disappointing 2025 campaign after a 1,000-yard season for the Panthers in 2024. The 23-year-old Brooks, a second-rounder out of Texas in 2024, has already torn his ACL twice since entering the NFL and has played in just three games for the Panthers in his rookie season. Despite durability concerns, Brooks has explosive upside out of the backfield if he is healthy and could push Hubbard for lead-back duties this year. Right now, Brooks' undisclosed injury does not seem serious enough to keep him out in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, but we should have a better idea of his status next week. RotoBaller has Brooks and Hubbard ranked at No. 33 and No. 34, respectively.
Sep 2, 2026 8:24 AM EST
Jonathon Brooks Has a Chance to Take Over the Panthers' Backfield
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is trending up once again. After knee injuries limited him to just five games through his first two seasons, he's now fully healthy and ready to occupy a big role on offense. There may be a little re-acclimation period as he gets used to his first NFL action since 2024, but there's also a glaring opportunity for him to step into a 1B role alongside Chuba Hubbard. Furthermore, we can't rule out the possibility of him completely taking over the backfield and leaving Hubbard in a backup role. This wouldn't be new territory for Hubbard, who sort of lost his job to Rico Dowdle last year. Brooks is incredibly talented, and if he can stay healthy, he could return to the high-end RB2 upside that he possessed prior to his rookie season. This is a low-risk move for managers, as Brooks still has a relatively modest ADP of 83.6.
Aug 31, 2026 8:19 PM EST
Jonathon Brooks Impresses on Red-Zone Run
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks had another encouraging moment during Wednesday's joint practice with Houston. According to Kyle Bailey, Brooks showed patience on a red-zone carry, waited for a lane to open, cut back and picked up roughly 10 to 12 yards. That kind of run stands out a little more with Brooks, who is coming back from two tears of the same right ACL. The second one cost him the entire 2025 season. Brooks has only 12 regular-season touches in the NFL, but he has looked comfortable cutting and accelerating this summer, worked with the first-team offense, and scored a 1-yard touchdown against Jacksonville last Friday. Chuba Hubbard has been working back from a hamstring injury, and Dave Canales has said Carolina plans to keep rotating its backs once Hubbard returns. Brooks isn't suddenly taking over the backfield, but he's giving the Panthers more reasons to trust him in a meaningful role.
Aug 26, 2026 10:45 AM EST
Jonathon Brooks Works With the First-Team Offense on Friday, Scores First NFL TD
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks rushed for 18 yards on five attempts during Friday's 34-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. His longest run on the day was for 11 yards and he punched it in from the one-yard line for his first touchdown in the NFL. With Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) out, Brooks played nearly every snap with the first-team offense on Friday. The 23-year-old has been running with the starters in Carolina's first two preseason games and has been healthy after being limited to just three games in his first two NFL seasons. Hubbard remains week-to-week, but Panthers head coach David Canales believes Hubbard will be available for the regular season opener against the Bears. Brooks currently has a Yahoo Fantasy ADP of 74, which could continue to rise after a strong preseason showing.
Aug 22, 2026 2:23 AM EST
Jonathon Brooks Runs with Starting Lineup on Saturday
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks started in Saturday's 29-14 loss against the Buffalo Bills and struggled to find any running room. Brooks rushed for five yards on three attempts while catching one pass for nine yards on Saturday. He logged seven of nine snaps with the first-team offense and was targeted once on three routes run. The 23-year-old had trouble finding running room as the offensive line struggled to open any lanes for him, as he averaged a measly 1.7 yards per carry. While the Panthers offense looked sluggish on Saturday, the good news is that Brooks looked healthy, as it was his first NFL snap he played since December 8, 2024. Brooks could see a heavy workload early on as Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) is week-to-week and likely questionable for Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. Brooks has been a trendy name whose fantasy stock has risen with a strong training camp. He is steadily becoming a running back to target in the middle rounds at his current Yahoo Fantasy ADP of 77 and is ranked 91st overall in the latest RotoBaller rankings.
Aug 15, 2026 1:19 PM EST
Jonathon Brooks Will Play in Preseason Opener
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that running back Jonathon Brooks will play in the team's second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, mixing in with Chuba Hubbard, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. It will be Brooks' first game played since his rookie season in 2024 after he didn't play in last week's Hall of Fame game and missed the entire 2025 campaign due to another torn ACL in his knee. Rico Dowdle is no longer in Carolina's backfield, and while Hubbard is the team's clear RB1, Brooks is expected to have a significant RB2/change-of-pace role in Canales' offense this year. The former second-rounder from the University of Texas has only played in three games in the NFL, so it's hard to know what to expect from him if he can finally stay healthy. Brooks has looked good this summer, though, and he's an intriguing handcuff option/RB3/flex target with upside if Hubbard gets injured or struggles again in 2026.
Aug 12, 2026 8:24 AM EST
Jonathon Brooks Won't Play in Hall of Fame Game
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that running back Jonathon Brooks will not play in Canton, Ohio, in Thursday's Hall of Fame preseason game versus the Arizona Cardinals, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. The Panthers aren't planning on playing their starters to open the preseason slate, and it makes all the sense in the world not to put Brooks in harm's way when considering his history of knee injuries. The 23-year-old former second-rounder in 2024 from the University of Texas has played in only three games for the Panthers due to two torn ACLs. The Texas native is fully healthy this summer, though, and heads into his third NFL campaign as the favorite for change-of-pace duties behind Chuba Hubbard in Carolina. Hubbard will most likely continue to serve as the team's RB1, but Brooks has been impressive so far in camp and could cut into his overall touches, making him an intriguing late-round flier at the position, especially if you have Hubbard rostered. RotoBaller has Brooks ranked as the No. 40 fantasy RB for 2026.
Aug 4, 2026 8:38 AM EST
Jonathon Brooks "Looking Twitchy" at Training Camp
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks caught a pass from quarterback Bryce Young in the flat, stuck his foot in the ground, and knifed through a couple of defenders for a big gain during training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Kyle Bailey. Brooks is "looking twitchy" so far in camp as he looks to get involved in 2026 following two ACL tears in his first two seasons in the league. The Panthers took the 23-year-old in the second round (46th overall) in 2024 from the University of Texas, but he has played in just three games for the organization. He has been impressing head coach Dave Canales so far, and he could earn RB2 duties behind Chuba Hubbard if he continues on this trajectory. Brooks' elite burst and elusiveness before his two ACL tears had drawn him comparisons to Jamaal Charles, and he's also an adept pass-catcher out of the backfield. There is still untapped potential here, but expect the Panthers to ease him into a complementary role behind Hubbard, at least early on in 2026. Fantasy managers definitely shouldn't forget about Brooks, though, and he has potential to be a sneaky RB3/flex option in point-per-reception leagues. RotoBaller has Brooks ranked as the No. 40 fantasy RB.
Jul 28, 2026 9:06 AM EST
Jonathon Brooks Seeing First-Team Reps in Training Camp
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is seeing action with the first-team offense during the team's first day of training camp practices on Thursday, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. A second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Brooks played in just three games as a rookie before suffering a knee injury that knocked him out for the remainder of 2024 and all of 2025. However, the 23-year-old appears to be fully healthy heading into 2026. The Panthers have veteran back Chuba Hubbard atop their running back depth chart, but the team let running back Rico Dowdle walk in free agency. Dowdle collected 1,373 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 275 touches for Carolina in 2025, leaving plenty of production on the table for Brooks to potentially step into in 2026. Brooks averaged over six yards per carry during his college career at Texas and was considered a high-end running back prospect before the injury issues. If he can stay healthy and put together a solid preseason, his fantasy stock will continue to rise throughout the summer.
Jul 23, 2026 9:10 AM EST
Jonathon Brooks Sees ADP Skyrocket
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks hasn't been much of a thought to fantasy managers over the last few seasons. In fact, Brooks hasn't played in a game since making three appearances during the 2024 season. The former second-round pick has been sidelined since then due to two knee injuries. The hope is that Brooks can put the knee injuries behind him and return to form in 2026. If healthy, there is a clear path for Brooks to become the No. 1 back in Carolina. Rico Dowdle is no longer with the team, and Chuba Hubbard is looking to bounce back after a lackluster 2025 season. The expectation is that Brooks will get a real chance to prove he's capable of being the top back in Carolina. He's only 23 years old and was an unstoppable force during his college days at Texas. Given the Panthers lack of depth at the position, it's not surprising to see Brooks ADP skyrocketing this offseason.
Jul 20, 2026 5:34 PM EST
Can Jonathon Brooks Deliver Upon His Rising 2026 ADP?
Despite the fact that he has not played sustained meaningful football since 2023, Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks continues to pick up steam heading into the 2026 season. With best ball drafts and some early redraft leagues already underway, Brooks has been one of the fastest risers by ADP, and the bull case is easy to see. Brooks was the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft after a final collegiate season at Texas in which he topped 1,400 yards from scrimmage and double-digit touchdowns while showcasing his versatility in the passing game. Carolina's leading rusher from 2025, Rico Dowdle, is no longer with the team, and reports out of the non-contact setting of minicamp have some believing that Brooks could push veteran Chuba Hubbard for a starting role. Hubbard was unimpressive for much of 2025, but it's important to remember that he was dealing with a lingering calf issue for most of the year, and while Brooks represents unproven upside, two catastrophic knee injuries have limited him to only 23 total snaps and nine rushing attempts in his short career. With a rising swell of support for Brooks, there's little question about which Panthers running back to roster in dynasty leagues, but for 2026 redraft leagues, with their ADPs creeping closer and closer together, Brooks has the potential to disappoint if Carolina opts to give first crack at starting duties to a healthy Hubbard.
Jun 30, 2026 5:49 AM EST
Jonathon Brooks to Be Carolina's Lead Back in 2026?
Expectations around Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks continue to rise, with NFL Network reporter Cameron Wolfe recently appearing on The Insiders Podcast and stating that if healthy, Brooks could handle lead back responsibilities over veteran Chuba Hubbard. Wolfe noted that the team allowed 2025's leading rusher, Rico Dowdle, to walk in free agency in part because they believe that their 2024 second-round pick is "ready to be the guy". Brooks missed all of the 2025 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee as a rookie, the second such injury to the same knee in just over a year. Coming off an RB15 finish in 2024 that resulted in a multi-year contract extension, Hubbard struggled through inconsistency and injuries of his own in 2025 and eventually ceded lead-back responsibilities to Dowdle, who ended the year with almost 1,400 all-purpose yards and seven total touchdowns. Brooks is RotoBaller's RB 40 in redraft leagues, but that ranking is certain to rise if he continues to pick up steam throughout minicamp and into training camp, and he could become one of 2026's better values for early drafters.
Jun 7, 2026 5:17 AM EST
Jonathon Brooks Entering 2026 as a Buy-Low Dynasty Candidate?
A second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) has yet to get his career off the ground. Brooks entered the NFL recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in college, and then re-tore the same ACL just three games after making his pro debut. The 22-year-old missed the entire 2025 season as a result of the injury, but he appears to be on track to be ready for the start of 2026. The Panthers let former running back Rico Dowdle walk in free agency without making any notable additions to their backfield, which could mean that the team has confidence in Brooks assuming the RB2 role behind veteran Chuba Hubbard. The Panthers offense featured two fantasy-relevant running backs in 2025, with Hubbard and Dowdle combining for over 2,100 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns. Brooks' injury history obviously brings clear risk, but he could be worth buying low on in dynasty formats ahead of 2026.
Jun 5, 2026 12:29 PM EST
Jonathon Brooks Fully Cleared for Offseason Program
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) said he's been fully cleared by his surgeon to take part in the team's offseason program and feels "close to 100 percent," according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Brooks is returning from a second ACL surgery on his right knee and could have a pretty decent role in the Panthers' backfield in 2026 behind Chuba Hubbard if he can stay healthy. The 22-year-old was a second-round selection in 2024 out of the University of Texas, but he has only played in three games and has had nine carries for 22 yards since being drafted by Carolina due to continued knee issues. Rico Dowdle departed in free agency to look for a bigger role elsewhere, which leaves Brooks to compete primarily with AJ Dillon for RB2 duties behind Hubbard. Brooks will most likely go undrafted in most single-year leagues later this year, but in dynasty/keeper formats, he might be a savvy buy-low candidate for RB depth.
Apr 28, 2026 7:40 PM EST
Buy Window is Still Open for Jonathon Brooks
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks missed the entirety of the 2025 season after tearing his ACL for the second time on the ninth carry of his NFL career. Brooks went down in Week 14 of his 2024 rookie season after missing ten games during a lengthy recovery from his first ACL tear, sustained at the end of his final collegiate season at Texas. With the injuries stacking up and so much passing time between meaningful snaps, it can be easy to forget that the 2024 second-round pick was seeing an incremental increase in usage leading up to the injury, despite the fact that Chuba Hubbard had the fourth most rushing yards in the league to that point. With Rico Dowdle departing in free agency after only one season in Carolina, Brooks will return to a running back room strikingly similar to the one in which he last played. Hubbard will be 27 years old at the start of the season, coming off a year in which injuries and inefficiency saw him turn the room over to Dowdle for much of the season, and his career yards per route run remains well under 1.0 yards. As RotoBaller's dynasty RB37, Brooks could be severely underpriced for a running back with both the skills and the path to take over the lead back role in a steadily improving offense.
Apr 18, 2026 1:00 PM EST
Panthers Expect Jonathon Brooks to be Ready for OTAs and Minicamp
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that he expects running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) to be ready for organized team activities and minicamp, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Brooks is a major question mark in dynasty/keeper leagues after tearing his right ACL for the second time last year. The 22-year-old got a late start to his rookie campaign in 2024 in Carolina after rehabbing his first torn ACL from college, and he only saw nine carries for 22 yards in three games before tearing his ACL again. He missed all of the 2025 campaign, but he's now ramping up to help the Panthers' backfield in 2026, potentially. And with Rico Dowdle leaving in free agency to join the Pittsburgh Steelers, Brooks could have a clear path to RB2 duties in Carolina this coming season behind Chuba Hubbard if he can stay on the field. If fully healthy, Brooks will compete with both Trevor Etienne and AJ Dillon for complementary work behind Hubbard in 2026.
Mar 30, 2026 7:44 AM EST
Jonathon Brooks to Compete for Lead Role in Carolina?
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) could be an appealing buy-low candidate in dynasty leagues as he works his way back from injury. Brooks missed the entire 2025 regular season due to a torn ACL that he suffered in 2024. Injuries have limited the once-promising running back to just three games through two NFL seasons. The former Texas product showed some promise when healthy, though. In Week 13 of the 2024 season, when the Panthers were still getting him up to speed, he handled six carries and also caught three passes for 23 receiving yards. Brooks should be healthy for training camp in 2026, and he could ascend into a significant role right away. Rico Dowdle departed the Panthers in free agency, leaving Brooks and Trevor Etienne in competition for a larger workload alongside Chuba Hubbard. While Hubbard has an early leg up on the competition, we would not be surprised to see both Brooks and Etienne get a fair crack at the job. Brooks could have low-end RB3/flex appeal if he locks up the backup running back role, and earning the starting job could put him in RB2 territory. 2025 showed that Chuba Hubbard isn't an every-down back, so Brooks would likely handle a sizable workload even if he split touches with Hubbard.
Mar 12, 2026 9:12 PM EST
Jonathon Brooks "Making a lot of Progress" in his Rehab
Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said on Tuesday that running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is "making a lot of progress" in his rehab from the torn right ACL that he suffered in December of 2024, according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. The Panthers are cautiously optimistic that Brooks will be able to contribute to their backfield in 2026 after he appeared in just three games in his two NFL seasons due to multiple ACL tears. The 22-year-old could have a path to being Carolina's RB2 behind Chuba Hubbard next season, too, if Rico Dowdle departs in free agency. Brooks, a former second-rounder in 2024 out of the University of Texas, will need to prove he still has the same pre-injury explosiveness, and the Panthers will undoubtedly ease him back in when he returns to the field. Brooks will be a big question mark going into the 2026 season.
Feb 25, 2026 6:23 AM EST
Jonathon Brooks Has a Path to Fantasy Relevance in 2026
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) has been dealt some very unfortunate injury luck since entering the NFL. Brooks tore his ACL in November 2023 while still at Texas, causing him to fall to the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The injury cost him the first few weeks of his NFL career, but he debuted in Week 12 of the 2024 season with a very small workload. He ultimately played just three games that season before suffering another ACL tear, and he has been sidelined ever since. Brooks' recovery timetable suggests that he should be healthy for the 2026 season. It's fair for fantasy managers to have their doubts about Brooks, given that he has just 12 touches through two years, but we can't forget how productive he was at Texas. Additionally, he should benefit from a clear path to productivity in Carolina. Rico Dowdle is expected to depart in free agency and Trevor Etienne had an underwhelming season, resulting in a wide-open competition for the No. 2 running back role behind Chuba Hubbard. If healthy, Brooks could be the favorite for that role. He'd presumably be eased back into action, but he has top-40 running back appeal if he's healthy for Week 1.
Feb 15, 2026 4:39 AM EST
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