For the Carolina Panthers, the 2024 NFL season hasn’t exactly gone according to plan.
From losing key veterans like Derrick Brown to injury to the benching of former first overall pick quarterback Bryce Young, there haven’t been many positive takeaways for the Panthers through the first few weeks of play.
However, the Panthers and their fan base received some much-needed positive news regarding rookie running back Jonathon Brooks, who seems to be trending in the right direction for a return this season.
Brooks Entering Practice Window
On Oct. 16, The Charlotte Observer‘s Mike Kaye announced that the Panthers had reportedly opened up Jonathon Brooks’ 21-day practice window. The team has until Nov. 5 to activate the rookie tailback off the non-football injury list, where he’s spent the Panthers’ entire campaign thus far. During this practice window, the team can evaluate Brooks’ health and determine how both sides would like to proceed.
The Panthers will certainly be cautious with the young running back’s health moving forward. After all, the former University of Texas star is recovering from a fairly serious injury. Brooks initially suffered a torn ACL during a contest against TCU on November 11th, 2023. On average, professional athletes are usually forced to miss a full calendar year or more of activities during recovery from a torn ACL. In Brooks’ case, his comeback seems right on schedule, seeing a return to the football field roughly 11 months after suffering the injury.
Trending in the Right Direction
The Panthers got their first real look at the former Longhorn on Oct. 16, when he joined the team for scheduled practice. According to those in attendance, Brooks was limited to hand-off reps and some light sideline work. Despite not being 100%, however, the rookie impressed Panthers’ head coach Dave Canales.
“He looked great,” said Canales when speaking with Kaye, “it was good to have him out there.”
As they progress further into the 21-day practice window, the Panthers will likely begin ramping him up, allowing him to get a feel for the offense operating at full speed.
“It’s certainly going to be week-to-week for him (Brooks)” Canales told media while addressing the rookie’s availability moving forward. Brooks told ESPN’s David Newton that his knee “feels good”, but notes that it’ll be “a few weeks” before he’ll be “game ready”.
Taking into account Carolina’s current situation, there’s little reason to rush Brooks’ return to play, but his return to practice is certainly a welcome sight for sore eyes.
The Bottom Line
So far in 2024, Chuba Hubbard has been excellent for the Panthers as their lead back. Hubbard, who is in a contract year, has benefited greatly from a vastly improved Panthers’ offensive line. The fourth-year man out of Oklahoma State has amassed just over 500 yards on nearly five yards per rushing attempt. With this in mind, the Panthers shouldn’t feel pressured to rush Brooks back to the field by any means.
The fact that Brooks has been able to return to practice and take some snaps shows the rookie is trending in the right direction. Seeing the 2024 second-round selection hit the practice field should be encouraging for Panthers fans. When healthy, Brooks and Hubbard can become a serious one-two punch at running back for the Panthers.
With things trending in the right direction, fans might not have to wait much longer to see that duo in action.
Leave a comment