Jonathon Brooks, rookie running back for the Carolina Panthers, is expected to be out for the first month of the 2024 NFL season. He is on the team’s PUP list due to a “torn ACL,” meaning he can not be activated until after Week 4.
Jonathon Brooks’ Injury and Recovery
The last time Brooks suited up was back in November when playing for the Texas Longhorns; he got hurt against TCU. Entering the injury, he was having a great season with 1,139 yards rushed and 10 touchdowns. Receiving, he had 25 receptions for 286 yards and one touchdown. This was one of the key factors that made him one of the top running backs taken in the draft by the Panthers in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Panthers were also a team in need of a back who could help them in the running game, so they took a flyer on Brooks, whose pro day was understandably abbreviated because of the injury. For the Panthers, it marked one step away from the earlier gaffe of inking running back Miles Sanders to a four-year, $25 million deal. Sanders slumped to a 432-yard, one-touchdown 2023 season and ended the year on the bench for his troubles, with Chuba Hubbard taking over as top back.
Chuba Hubbard’s Role
With Brooks now out, the starting back for the Panthers becomes Chuba Hubbard. Hubbard had a decent year in 2023 while running for 902 yards and five touchdowns. He added another 39 receptions for 233 yards. At that level of production last season, Hubbard is the man for the Panthers until Brooks gets back.
The Panthers believe the answer is a heavy dosage of running plays, which hopefully will help take some of the pressure off 3rd-year quarterback Bryce Young. Young was the no. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he struggled in his rookie season—posting only a 2-14 record as a starter while throwing for 2,877 yards with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Panthers are working to make sure his support is better this season.
The Panthers have made a few moves to complement Young, mainly by getting wide receiver Diontae Johnson and wideout Xavier Legette, whom they drafted in the first round, and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders from the fourth. This has been done to land Young more instrumental complementary weapons that aid him in the passing game.
Brooks’ presence will be missed, though, with the Panthers trying to get something going on offense with Young. While Hubbard and Sanders will be called upon, the full plan cannot be instituted until Brooks is back. The word is that Jonathon should be ready to go after Week 4.
Looking Ahead
The fact that Brooks has been on the PUP list is a disappointment to the Panthers. His return will be highly anticipated, as he was looked at as a major contributor. Until then, Hubbard will head the running, with Sanders providing a bit of depth. How well this season goes for the Panthers depends on how well their new additions perform and how quickly Brooks can get back to his best.
The Panthers have several strategic moves on their part to provide more support for their young quarterback and to turn around their offense. While Jonathon Brooks is certainly a loss, the team has the talent and the players in place to try to get by for a time without him. It is something that fans will be watching very closely as the season ages and as it progresses through such movement.
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