Jonathon Brooks is headed back to the operating table, and the Carolina Panthers are scrambling to find a replacement. The team placed the running back on injured reserve on Wednesday after he aggravated a groin issue during the 34-3 win over the Atlanta Falcons. This move will sideline him for at least six weeks, a massive blow to a roster that was just starting to find its rhythm.
This is the latest in a string of injuries – he tore the same ACL in 2023 at Texas and again in 2024, and now faces core muscle surgery. It feels like a never-ending cycle of setbacks for a player the team hoped would be a key piece.
The Search for a Veteran Stopgap
The Panthers cannot wait six weeks to add depth. They are already looking at Austin Ekeler to fill the void left by Brooks. NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported that the Panthers are working out the veteran running back on Wednesday. After tearing his Achilles last season while playing for the Washington Commanders, Ekeler has received full medical clearance. He brings a different skill set as a pass catcher, which could help quarterback Bryce Young in the short term.
Ekeler is 31 and has a career with over 1,000 runs and 43 touchdowns. He was a star with the Chargers before moving to Washington. The team also signed safety Isaiah Simmons to the active roster to fill the roster spot Brooks vacated. It is a quick fix, but the Panthers need someone who can run the ball immediately.
Chuba Hubbard Must Carry the Load
Until a new face arrives, Chuba Hubbard is the man. He will have to shoulder the heavy load for the backfield. The coaching staff had high hopes for Brooks to work in tandem with Hubbard, but that plan is on hold. Hubbard has shown he can handle the work, but the loss of Brooks limits the offense’s flexibility. The team also has AJ Dillon as a backup, but the depth is thin.
In his first two games, Brooks touched the ball 11 times, accumulating 73 yards. He looked like the player the Panthers envisioned when they picked him in the second round. Now, the focus shifts to getting Ekeler signed and Hubbard ready.
