Carolina Panthers rookie running back has been dealt a devastating blow, suffering a torn ACL in his right knee for the second time in just over a year. The injury occurred during the Panthers’ Week 3 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, where Brooks was forced to leave the game after just one carry.
This injury marks a painful setback for Brooks, who had only recently returned to the field after recovering from an ACL tear suffered during his time at Texas. The Panthers had taken every precaution to ensure his rehabilitation was thorough, but the non-contact injury left Brooks visibly dejected, as he likely knew the severity of the situation immediately.
The No. 46 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft had been showing promise as a dynamic backfield option for Carolina, bringing a combination of speed, agility, and vision to their offense. However, the recurrence of this injury means that Brooks is now facing another lengthy recovery process. While the surgery to repair the tear was successful, it’s expected that Brooks will miss the entire 2025 NFL season.
With Brooks out for the foreseeable future, the Panthers are left with questions about their backfield depth. Starting running back Chuba Hubbard will continue to carry the load, but general manager Dan Morgan will likely explore adding another running back to the roster, particularly one with pass-catching ability. Veteran Miles Sanders’ status could also be in flux if the Panthers are forced to make salary-cap adjustments.
The team and its fans are rallying behind Brooks, who will now focus on the difficult and demanding task of rehabilitation. The journey ahead will be physically taxing and mentally challenging, but Brooks has shown determination in the past and will need that same resilience to recover from two major knee injuries in as many years.
As the Panthers look ahead to 2025 without Brooks, the hope is that, with time and hard work, he will one day return to the explosive form that made him one of the most promising young running backs in college football. For now, Brooks’ immediate priority is healing, while the Panthers look to build a plan for their future backfield.
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