Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks has been placed on injured reserve on Wednesday as he prepares to undergo core muscle surgery. The procedure is expected to keep him out of action for at least six weeks.
The news is the latest setback in a promising career that’s been marred by injuries to date for Brooks. The former second round pick in 2024 returned this season expecting to push incumbent starter Chuba Hubbard for touches following back to back ACL surgeries. Unfortunately, he departed his team’s lopsided win over Atlanta on Sunday in the fourth quarter with what was originally labelled a groin pull.
Since being drafted, injuries have cost him all but 5 games in his NFL career, and cast doubt on his long term NFL outlook. Assuming he gets back on the field this season and returns to his pre-injury form, Brooks will be lucky to hit the double digit mark in games played over the last 3 seasons combined. With 2027 being the last season of his rookie contract, it’s very likely that the talented back could be facing a “prove it” season if he hopes to stay in the league.
At 1-1 the Panthers are currently atop the NFC South standings as they look to build off last season’s success. There’s absolutely a world in which Brooks is able to return down the stretch and contribute towards the team’s playoff push, but he will be hard pressed to stake his claim as the team’s RB1 anytime soon.
The team currently has options at the running back position which include veteran AJ Dillon, and practice squad members Anthony Tyus III and Ahmani Marshall. Carolina has reportedly also reached out to free agent back Austin Ekeler to come in for a workout as well.
The former Chargers RB appeared in just 2 games in 2025 before suffering a season ending Achilles injury and at 31 years old would likely be nothing more than a depth addition at this point.
With Brooks heading to the IR, the Panthers promoted safety Isaiah Simmons to the their active roster. To backfill their practice squad, the team is bringing back linebacker Maema Njongmeta who was used primarily in a special teams role with the club in the past.
Up next for Carolina is a 1pm ET Sunday showdown against the Cleveland Browns.
Photo: Jas & Suz. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.