Jonathon Brooks Nears Return to Practice for Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks is on the verge of returning to practice, marking a significant step in his recovery from an ACL tear suffered 11 months ago. According to reports from David Newton of ESPN, Brooks indicated that he may begin his 21-day window for return to practice as early as next week.

Brooks, who was the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft (46th overall), has been eager to join the team but acknowledged that there is no rush given the current performance of the Carolina backfield. Chuba Hubbard has been performing well, which might limit some of the immediate expectations for Brooks. However, Brooks’ talent is expected to potentially force a timeshare or push backup Miles Sanders out of the picture once he is fully healthy.

Fantasy football enthusiasts are closely watching Brooks’ progress, with many speculating that he could start practicing next week and ramp up his training the following week. There is a consensus that he might be ready to play by Week 9 of the NFL season.

The Panthers’ coaching staff, particularly head coach Frank Reich and offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, have shown loyalty to their draft picks, which suggests that Brooks could have a significant role in the team’s future. This loyalty, as seen with Rachaad White last season, could mean that Brooks will have the opportunity to take charge of the backfield once he is fully healthy.