Who Should I Start? Michael Burton or Jonathon Brooks

Wednesday, March 26, 2:35 PM

The Denver Broncos are re-signing fullback Michael Burton for the 2025 campaign, according to team reporter Zac Stevens. Burton was originally a fifth-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2015 out of Rutgers and has spent time with the Lions, Bears, Saints, Redskins, Chiefs, and Broncos. He reunited with Sean Payton in Denver in 2023 and is back for his third season with the organization. The 33-year-old is primarily utilized as a pure blocker, but he has compiled 42 carries for 79 yards and two touchdowns in 147 career games. He's hauled in 31 receptions for 196 yards and two scores as a receiver. In 2025, he could be blocking for a highly-drafted rookie running back like North Carolina's Omarion Hampton or Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson.

Thursday, May 8, 1:14 PM

The Carolina Panthers placed running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Thursday, meaning he will not play at all in the 2025 season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Brooks tore his right ACL in Week 14 of his rookie season in 2024, his second ACL tear in as many years. The 21-year-old didn't make his NFL debut until Week 12 last year and played in just three games before unfortunately suffering another ACL tear. In his three games with Carolina, the second-rounder (46th overall) out of Texas had nine carries for 22 yards and caught all three of his targets for 23 yards. It's been a tough last couple of years for Brooks, who probably will never be the same runner he was before tearing his right ACL twice. The Panthers will move forward with Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle and rookie Trevor Etienne as their RBs in 2025.