After missing the entire 2025 season due to an ACL, it appears Brooks is back and might just be the lead guy as well.
Former Texas Longhorn running back Jonathon Brooks is finally on the comeback trail after suffering perhaps the worst start to an NFL career imaginable.
He suffered two ACL injuries (one in college and the other in his rookie season in Carolina), but now it appears Brooks has a clear path in 2026.
Having hit the practice field at Panthers OTAs, Brooks is still a slow burn as Carolina is clearly playing the cautious game with its running back.
Having barely set foot on an NFL field yet (just three games), Brooks will enter the 2026 season with a lot to prove, not only to himself, but to the organization as well.
We know what a talent he is, but that is useless if you can't get on the field. Well, now Brooks is, and the time has come at training camp to show the NFL world what he's got.
And as it turns out, the Panthers might already think really highly of Brooks and what he can do.
Last month, national reporter Cameron Wolfe made a rather eyebrow-raising comment on NFL Insiders when it came to Brooks and what a potential plan will look like in the offense.
And it won't be a bit-part role.
"From what I understand, they may ease him in early on in camp and during the season. But the hope is, if he can go full-go, he could be a guy that defines this offense," Wolfe said.
"When they were at their best, Rico Dowdle was playing really well. They let Rico Dowdle go, in part, because they felt Jonathon Brooks was ready to be the guy in this backfield."
Brooks as the lead guy? That is a lot of pressure on a young player who has struggled to stay healthy, but the talent is there. His body just has to allow him to do the work.
Chuba Hubbard is a good foil, so it won't be like Brooks has to be the every-down back, and with the veteran alongside him, Brooks can ease himself back into NFL action.
Because all athletes can attest to this, going full throttle in camp is one thing, but nothing prepares your body for a real game like...playing a real game.
So, Brooks will want to stack good days at training camp and give himself the best possible chance at being the starter the Panthers, it appears, want him to be.
