Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks is undergoing core-muscle surgery on Wednesday and will be out "at least" 6 weeks, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's the latest setback for a guy who's played just 5 games since arriving in 2024.
Update: Brooks has been placed on IR, knocking him out for the next 4 games. HC Dave Canales said Wednesday that he expects Brooks to miss 6-8 weeks.
The Panthers consider RB Jonathon Brooks "week-to-week while he gets second opinions on his groin injury," according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Brooks suffered the initial injury in training camp and aggravated it in Sunday's win over the Falcons.
Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard rushed 10 times for 49 yards and a TD in Week 1 against the Bears. He also added 3 catches for 38 yards and another TD. Hubbard dominated the RB snaps for the Panthers. He played 48 snaps while Jonathon Brooks was the clear back-up, playing only 13 snaps.
Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks (groin) is not listed on the final Week 1 injury report. He was limited in the first two practices of the week with groin soreness but put in a full workout on Friday. Brooks will play vs. the Bears this weekend, although we’re projecting Chuba Hubbard to lead the backfield.
Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks (groin) was limited in Wednesday's practice. He'd been working off to the side of practice for the past week with what we now know is a groin issue. The limited practice should have Brooks on track to play vs. the Bears on Sunday, but he'd be a shaky fantasy start. RB Chuba Hubbard is off the Week 1 injury report after missing much of August with a hamstring injury.
After missing much of August with a hamstring injury, Chuba Hubbard is the healthier of Carolina's top two RBs heading into Week 1. HC Dave Canales said Monday that Hubbard "looks fast, strong, like he was before." RB Jonathon Brooks, meanwhile, has been working off to the side with trainers for close to a week now with what Canales has deemed "soreness."
Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks has worked off to the side of practice with trainers the past two days. HC Dave Canales said Brooks is dealing with "soreness" but wouldn't specify where, per ESPN's Mike Kaye.
Chuba Hubbard returned to practice after suffering a hamstring injury on August 12, per Mike Kaye of ESPN. Hubbard told reporters on August 24 that he feels good and felt the trainers were simply being cautious with him. Now, he’s officially back on the field.
Panthers HC Dave Canales said the backfield will be a committee to open the season with Chuba Hubbard alongside Jonathon Brooks. Hubbard told reporters his hamstring feels good and that he thinks trainers are being cautious after he may have returned too soon from a calf injury last season.
Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard is week-to-week with a hamstring injury, HC Dave Canales said Thursday. The team is confident that Hubbard will be ready for Week 1, which is exactly one month away. But his absence gives RB Jonathon Brooks even more opportunity to carve out an early-season role.
Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks was a full participant in Tuesday's padded practice, likely his first real contact since tearing his ACL in December 2024. He missed all of training camp in both 2024 and 2025 while rehabbing a pair of ACL injuries.
Panthers HC Dave Canales was asked about RB Jonathon Brooks earlier this week and highlighted his ability in the passing game. "JB has looked great, in the run game, certainly, but also in the pass game," Canales said. "Half of his highlights coming out of college were screen passes, wides, things down the field. He has a great ability to catch the ball, track it, and transition once he catches it. Just finding different packages and ways to get him involved in the offense, and he’s looked great so far."
Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks said Tuesday that he's been fully cleared to participate in the offseason program, according to The Athletic's Joe Person. Brooks missed the entire 2025 season after tearing his right ACL for the second time in a 13-month span. Brooks added Tuesday that he feels "close to 100%."
ESPN's David Newton doesn't expect free agent RB Rico Dowdle to return to the Panthers. "Unless Dowdle wants to return at a bargain price, he appears headed to his third team in three seasons," Newton wrote via ESPN.
Remember Jonathon Brooks? The 46th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft has played just three games for the Panthers. He opened his rookie season rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered in college and then re-tore that ACL in his third game. Brooks missed the entire 2025 campaign. But he's "headed in a good direction" now, GM Dan Morgan said Tuesday.
Panthers RB Rico Dowdle missed Tuesday's practice with a toe issue. HC Dave Canales labeled him "day to day," so it doesn't sound like this is something that will keep Dowdle from playing against the Buccaneers on Saturday. But we'll keep you updated on his status over the next few days. RB Chuba Hubbard would step into a workhorse role if Dowdle missed Week 18.
WR Tetairoa McMillan went 6-73-1 on 10 targets against the Buccaneers. Jalen Coker was the next highest WR with 5 targets. McMillan matched up against CB Jamel Dean often who had been stout against outside WRs, but McMillan was able to win multiple times one-on-one. As the Panthers march toward the NFC South crown, McMillan has proved himself to be an elite option who can be relied upon for the fantasy championship (and next season).
Before their Week 14 bye, it looked like the Carolina Panthers were shifting to a committee backfield with Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard. But in Week 15, Dowdle out-carried Hubbard 16-8 and scored a TD to reclaim his status as Carolina's lead back. Neither back had much success against the Saints, who held the duo to a combined 3.25 yards per carry as New Orleans pulled off a 20-17 upset win.
Panthers RBs Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle split touches throughout the team’s win over the Los Angeles Rams, but Hubbard outproduced Dowdle. Hubbard went 17-83-0 on the ground and 2-41-1 through the air. Dowdle went 18-58-0 on the ground and 2-21-0 through the air. Hubbard also outsnapped Dowdle 38 to 27 with Hubbard running 15 routes to Dowdle’s 6. This could make both only borderline starts moving forward despite the heavy lean on the run game.
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