Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is continuing to make progress in his bid to return to action.
Carolina Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks has only played in three NFL games. The Panthers took Brooks in the second round of the 2024 draft after he tore his right ACL during his final season at Texas. He made his debut in the middle of his rookie season in 2024 and tore the same ACL again in his third NFL game.
Brooks missed all of last season while recovering from his second injury. The 22-year-old told reporters that he's close to being at 100% again.
“Feels good getting back to the football movements,” Brooks said. “Obviously it’s something I have to work on. Feel close to 100 percent, getting there. Still just going with the plan they have for me.”
Chuba Hubbard and Trevor Etienne are back with the Panthers from last season and Carolina signed AJ Dillon as a free agent. How Brooks will fit into that backfield mix will be one of the things to watch as the Panthers' offseason continues to play out.
Brooks has nine carries for 22 rushing yards in the NFL.
The Panthers made the playoffs last season after winning the NFC South. They lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round at home.
Carolina QB Bryce Young finished the 2025 season with 3,011 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 216 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He led the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.
Young enters next season with 8,291 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 718 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in a Carolina uniform. He's 14-30-0 as a starter.
Young is set to make $12.1 million next season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. His fifth-year option will be worth a guaranteed $25.9 million once exercised.
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