Who Should I Start? DeeJay Dallas or Jonathon Brooks

Friday, August 29, 8:25 AM

The Carolina Panthers have signed running back DeeJay Dallas to their practice squad on Thursday. He quickly finds a new home after being released by the Arizona Cardinals earlier in the week. Dallas played in all 17 games with the Cardinals last season, but only rushed nine times for 49 yards while hauling in three receptions for 11 yards and one touchdown. The 26-year-old hasn't seen much of the field as a running back lately with only 19 carries over the last two seasons. He figures to mostly be used on special teams and serve as depth behind Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle.

Monday, December 8, 12:54 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is exactly a year removed from tearing his right ACL for a second time, but he said that he feels "pretty much almost 100 percent again," according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Brooks is doing straight-line running and hopes to start mixing in full-speed cutting and route running soon. Barring a setback, he could return to the practice field in the spring for organized team activities (OTAs). The 22-year-old was the team's second-round pick back in 2024 out of Texas. Since his injury, the Panthers signed Rico Dowdle in free agency and took Trevor Etienne in the fourth round of this year's draft. Dowdle has been one of the best backs in the NFL this year and has formed a dangerous 1-2 punch in Carolina's backfield with Chuba Hubbard. Any expectations fantasy managers holding Brooks might have in dynasty/keeper leagues must be tempered by concerns of injury risk.