Jonathon Brooks update: Carolina Panthers plan to activate practice window for rookie RB

The Carolina Panthers are on their way towards gaining a major offensive weapon, as head coach Dave Canales told reporters on Monday the team is planning to open the 21-day practice window for rookie running back Jonathon Brooks.

“Help on the way for the #Panthers: Coach Dave Canales told reporters the team plans to open the 21-day practice window for rookie RB Jonathan Brooks,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero posted on X.

Brooks was placed on the PUP/NFI list prior to the season, making him ineligible to play in at least the first four games while he rehabbed an injury suffered during his final collegiate season. The second-round (46th overall) selection out of Texas tore his ACL while playing for the Longhorns this past November.

Regardless, Brooks was the first running back off the board in April’s NFL Draft following a productive 2023 campaign with the Longhorns. In 11 games before the injury, Brooks rushed for 1,139 yards on 6.1 yards per carry and 10 touchdowns. He added 25 receptions for 286 yards and a score. Brooks earned Second-Team All-Big 12 honors. 

In his stead, running back Chuba Hubbard has performed admirably, and he figures to have a role moving forward, even if Brooks takes over the lion-share of carries when he returns. On the season, Hubbard has rushed for 485 yards, good for third in the NFL, and scored two touchdowns.

While the Panthers have looked like a much-improved team over the past month since the benching of quarterback Bryce Young, Carolina is still sitting at 1-5 on the season. They’ll travel to Washington to play the Commanders in Week 7 before taking a trip to Denver to play the Broncos afterwards.

Perhaps Jonathon Brooks will help get them a win or two when he returns to the playing field. A ton of hype is behind the former Texas star, but it remains to be seen if he can make good on it.