Why Jonathon Brooks' Surgery Leaves the Panthers Scrambling at Running Back
The Carolina Panthers are about to lose another running back. Jonathon Brooks, their 2024 second-round pick, is expected to undergo core muscle surgery and land on injured reserve, according to sources who spoke with NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The move leaves a thin backfield with one clear starter and a string of unproven options behind him.
A Latest Setback in a Long Recovery
The injury surfaced during Carolina's win over the Atlanta Falcons, when Brooks left in the fourth quarter with what the team described as a groin injury. Surgery is set for Wednesday, and the injured reserve stint will keep him out at least six weeks. Because the Panthers have an early Week 5 bye, the best-case scenario could mean Brooks missing only five games.
The timing matters beyond this season. Brooks spent his rookie year recovering from an ACL tear, then suffered another ACL injury, meaning he underwent back-to-back ACL surgeries before ever playing a full NFL season. This summer marked his first training camp and preseason in the league. In two games this season, he had 30 rushing yards on nine carries and 43 receiving yards on two catches — modest production, but real evidence that he was finally on the field.
Who Carries the Load Now
That workload now falls almost entirely on Chuba Hubbard. The Panthers have leaned on the veteran starter all season, and he has delivered: 102 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, plus 49 receiving yards and two touchdown catches through the air. Hubbard will keep handling the bulk of the carries, with veteran AJ Dillon serving as the change-of-pace option.
Behind that pair, the depth chart gets thin quickly. Anthony Tyus III has spent each of the past two seasons on the practice squad, though he was featured heavily during this year's preseason. Ahmani Marshall, a second-year running back, also sits on the practice squad. Neither has meaningful regular-season experience as a primary option.
A Veteran Workout and a Roster in Flux
The Panthers are responding by kicking the tires on Austin Ekeler. The former Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders back is scheduled for a workout, league sources told ESPN, confirming a report from KPRC 2. Ekeler brings a proven receiving presence out of the backfield, something Carolina could use while Brooks heals.
What the team decides after that workout will shape the rest of the season. Hubbard gives the Panthers a reliable starter, but he cannot carry every snap. If Ekeler signs, he would immediately become the most experienced backup on the roster. If not, the Panthers would be relying on Dillon and practice-squad call-ups to absorb a meaningful share of touches.
Why This Move Matters
The bigger question is what another surgery means for Brooks' long-term future. He entered the league as a high-upside pick, but his professional career has been one setback after another. Each time he gets close to a full workload, something forces him off the field. A six-week absence may not end his season, but it delays the development the Panthers hoped to see in Year 2.
For now, the backfield belongs to Hubbard. The depth behind him, though, is a work in progress, and Brooks' latest surgery makes that clear.