Jonathon Brooks injury update: Panthers RB reacts to torn ACL, restarting rehab process

It took until Week 12 of the 2024 season for Carolina Panthers (3-10) running back Jonathon Brooks to make his NFL debut.

Brooks, Carolina’s second-round selection out of Texas, was recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee during his final season with the Longhorns. Carolina was excited to see a healthy Brooks in its offense — but then came this past Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles (11-2). On his first carry of the game, Brooks cut to his left before falling down untouched. Head coach Dave Canales revealed the next day that Brooks suffered another ACL tear in his right knee.

Brooks is facing another likely 9–12-month recovery, but that hasn’t zapped his joy. The Panthers have had two practices since the news broke, and Brooks has been present with his teammates with a smile on his face.

“I’m still a part of a team,” Brooks said Thursday, via the team’s official website. “These are my brothers. I was out there playing with them just last week. So, for me to sit in here and mope about my own injury, I feel like that would be selfish. Just to get out there and still pay attention, still focus, still interacting with the team and still being out there and learning the plays and learning the scheme. I feel like it would be helpful for me in the long run. But just to show that I’m a team first type of vibe. I’m not going to stay inside the building and mope on my own.”

Jonathon Brooks headed for lengthy rehab after recent ACL tear

That’s not to say that sustaining back-to-back ACL tears in a span of 13 months isn’t a downer; It certainly is. But for Brooks, being surrounded by a good support system will help carry him through his rehab.

“The first couple of days is a little rough. But then you just have to trust God’s plan and know that He’s doing this for a reason and that it’s a brighter side on the other end,” Brooks said. “I’ve been through it before. So, I know from experience what to do and what not to do. And I just fully trust in God that He’s doing this for a reason.

“There’s a lot of that I didn’t know the first time early on in my rehab process that I know now that I feel like will help. Just being around a good team, a good support system around here with my family being here.”