Dave Canales Updates Jonathon Brooks Injury Situation

The Carolina Panthers continue to prepare for the Week 1 season opener against the Chicago Bears in just under two weeks. It will be the first game for the Panthers since their Wild Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams last season. 

While Carolina won the NFC South and made the playoffs, they did so with an 8-9 record and had the tiebreaker in the division. So going into this season, there are some doubters for the Panthers. 

But as we count down the days until the start of the new campaign, the Panthers are dealing with some injuries. 

The latest is running back Jonathon Brooks, who was held out of Tuesday's practice due to soreness. Reporters spotted Brooks working off to the side with a trainer and while it doesn't appear to be too serious, theres always concern with a player like Brooks who has battled injuries in the past.

On Wednesday, Brooks was off to the side again, working with a trainer. Head coach Dave Canales met with reporters and was asked about Brooks' status for Week 1.

“I’m very optimistic that he’ll be available for Week 1," Canales told reporters per Mike Kaye of ESPN.

Canales wouldn't get into any more details about the injury or where the soreness is on Brooks. He doesn't need to. NFL teams are not permitted to report on injuries until the week of the game where they will provide an injury report three times before gameday. 

It doesn't feel like this is a serious injury for Brooks despite not being at practice but more of a precautionary thing. Or at least Panthers' fans hope for.

Carolina will be looking to use their backfield by giving both Brooks and Chuba Hubbard reps this season. That could help take the pressure off of quarterback Bryce Young and the rest of the offense.

But Brooks needs to get back on the practice field first to make that impact. And the hope is that the injury isn't severe enough where he will have to miss any time.

Chicago and Carolina will kickoff at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 13th.