Is Panthers' Jonathon Brooks healthy enough to serve as RB2?

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Is Panthers' Jonathon Brooks healthy enough to serve as RB2? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After allowing Rico Dowdle to walk via free agency and not significantly upgrading the running back room, the Carolina Panthers are putting a lot of faith and hope in Jonathon Brooks' multi-surgically repaired right knee.

The 2024 second-round NFL draft choice missed all of last season recuperating from consecutive ACL tears. Brooks initially suffered a knee injury while competing for Texas in 2023.

Panthers coach Dave Canales told reporters he remained confident Brooks will provide relief to starter Chuba Hubbard and serve as a third-down back.

"I know what he looked like prior to the injury," Canales said earlier this offseason. "I know what that player looks like, so I have that in the back of my mind. And that's a vision that I hope he has, too, so that we can go and attack that.

"We'll make sure we do the right thing for Jonathon, for sure."

The Panthers will get their first look at Brooks and his knee during Tuesday's start to offseason-training activities.

Panthers hoping Jonathon Brooks can fill RB2 role​

Sidelined for the opening 12 weeks of his rookie campaign while recovering from his first surgery, Brooks debuted in Week 12 and appeared in three games, gaining 22 yards on nine carries.

Brooks' season ended after a non-contact injury: his right knee buckled when he attempted a cut move against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 8, 2024. After taking a handoff from quarterback Bryce Young, Brooks patrolled the line of scrimmage for an opening, planting his leg on the turf to make a move, but fell untouched to the ground.

Immediately, Brooks popped up and attempted to hop off the field, not putting much pressure on his right leg. He finally collapsed and waited for assistance.

Dowdle, the Panthers' leading rusher last season, agreed to a two-year, $12.25 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, leaving the Panthers with second-year running back Trevor Etienne and offseason addition AJ Dillon as insurance on the 91-man roster.

Hubbard and Brooks trained together this offseason.

The Panthers remain confident in Brooks' progress.

"He's been in the building," Canales said. "He's been working out. He's been training with our guys."

On Tuesday, Brooks returns to the practice field.

More NFL news:​

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