Jonathon Brooks injury: Panthers rookie's latest update on potential return

Carolina's rookie running back Jonathon Brooks appears finally ready to make his debut. Maybe.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 10: Jonathon Brooks #24 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during rookie minicamp on May 10, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. / (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

Fans of the Carolina Panthers who are (understandably) running low on things to feel hopeful about take heart - one of the team's most-exciting young talents is finally about to make his NFL debut. Probably. Here's the latest on what we know about former Texas Longhorns running back and current Carolina rookie Jonathon Brooks.

For those who don't know the backstory, Brooks was the top running back prospect in this last year's draft class. However, he suffered a torn ACL in November and has been working his way back ever since. Brooks began his 21-day practice window two weeks ago and he appears on track to play this week. Here's what head coach Dave Canales shared with reporters yesterday regarding Brooks' status.

Dave Canales on Jonathon Brooks on Wed.

Panthers coach Dave Canales says they will take the full week to see if Jonathon Brooks is ready to play. Seems headed that way. pic.twitter.com/Dg9uSlA3zg

— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) October 30, 2024

This sounds good, but the reason we hesitated at the top is because only last week Canales told the media there was a chance that Brooks could sit out the entire 2024 season.

Dave Canales on Jonathon Brooks last week

#Panthers HC Dave Canales on whether it’s possible that Jonathon Brooks doesn’t play this year:

“It could be.” pic.twitter.com/fabA2qR0Wr

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) October 26, 2024

If the Panthers don't activate Brooks by the end of his three-week window, he will revert to injured reserve and will be out the rest of the year. The impetus would be protecting one of the team's stronger assets from being re-injured in a season that's already lost, but it's more important to develop the young players on this roster like Brooks, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette and Bryce Young.

Hopefully it won't come to that, but the clock is ticking.

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