Jonathon Brooks injury: Panthers RB goes down with non-contact injury after cut vs. Eagles

Carolina Panthers (3-9) rookie running back Jonathon Brooks went down with a non-contact injury to his right leg in the first quarter of Sunday’s Week 14 road contest against the Philadelphia Eagles (10-2).

Brooks took a handoff and cut to his left before falling down untouched. He tried to limp off the field but fell back down prior to reaching the sideline. The Panthers immediately announced Brooks as doubtful to return.

Not a great scene as Panthers promising RB Jonathon Brooks just went down with a non-contact injury. He limped off of the field. Hoping for the best pic.twitter.com/Ml2YwDDd9V

— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) December 8, 2024

Brooks, Carolina’s second round selection out of Texas, just made his NFL debut in Week 12, spending a year recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee during his final season with the Longhorns. While Brooks will be further evaluated, there’s concern he could have suffered another significant injury given the fact he was carted to the locker room.

Jonathon Brooks suffers injury to right knee in Week 14 vs. Eagles

The 21-year-old saw limited action upon returning against the Kansas City Chiefs (11-1), taking two carries for seven yards. Last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6) he saw six carries, rushing for 18 yards. Brooks hauled in all three of his targets for 23 yards.

“I thought it was a great step, from the first week to the second in terms of his confidence,” head coach Dave Canales said earlier this week. “Saw him break a couple of tackles, finishing runs aggressively, some of those things. So, I was really pleased with the way he just took another step.

“And that’s all we expect—is just weekly improvement, the daily improvement, just dialing yourself into the protection plan, the runs, how we’re trying to press the runs and those things like that. And so, another great step for Jonathon.”