Who Should I Start? Rachaad White or Jonathon Brooks

Monday, November 9, 9:35 AM

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that the team is taking the next two days to discuss running back Jonathon Brooks' (abdomen) status, according to Mike Kaye of ESPN. Brooks has been on Injured Reserve due to a core-muscle injury since Week 2, but he was seen working off to the side during practice last week and could have his 21-day practice window opened on Wednesday. If the 23-year-old former second-rounder from Texas is officially cleared to return to practice this week, he could be a candidate to come off IR to play this weekend on the road against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Despite Brooks' lengthy injury history -- he has torn his ACL twice since entering the NFL -- he is worth stashing as an RB handcuff to Chuba Hubbard in Carolina's backfield for the rest of the season. If he is unable to gain clearance to return in Week 10, Brooks' next chance to play will come in a Week 11 tilt at home against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Nov. 22. In the first two games this year before his injury, Brooks had only nine carries for 30 yards (3.3 yards per attempt) and two catches for 43 yards (21.5 yards per reception) as a receiver.