Rookie Running Back Receives Brutal News

The past 13 months have not been kind to Carolina’s rookie running back, Jonathon Brooks. He was the top runner off the board in April’s draft, but his NFL journey is slowly developing into a nightmare rather than a success story.

Rookie Running Back Receives Brutal News

Playing his college ball at the University of Texas, Brook suffered a torn ACL in November of 2023. He succeeded Atlanta’s star running back, Bijan Robinson, once Robinson was drafted in the first round. In his one year as a starter, Brooks accumulated 1,139 yards and ten scores on the ground, adding 286 receiving yards and another touchdown through the air.

The Panthers pulled the trigger, knowing that his ACL injury might cost him some time in his rookie season. That, however, is the good news when a team is not competing for anything and has no expectations entering a season: there is no pressure to produce from the jump.

The rookie joined Chuba Hubbard in the backfield and was expected to replace Miles Sanders after his disappointing 2023 season. Indeed, the team relied on Hubbard, even handing him a contract extension, while Sanders is an afterthought.

Late in October, Brooks was a full participant in practice, allowing him to get into game shape. The Panthers played it extra cautiously with their pricey rookie, waiting for him to be fully healthy and feeling confident in his knee. His NFL debut came on November 24 when he had a pair of carries against the Chiefs. He then got nine touches against the Buccaneers in the following weeks, and his role seemed to increase slowly.

On Sunday in Week 14, however, Brooks went down awkwardly, suffering a non-contact injury and hobbled off the field. Most people seeing it immediately thought about a re-tear of the ACL.

On Monday, the Panthers confirmed the worst fears.

Adam Schefter tweeted: “For the second time in 13 months, Panthers rookie RB Jonathon Brooks tore the ACL in his right knee. Brooks went down on a non-contact injury Sunday vs. the Eagles. He tore his ACL at Texas on Nov. 11, 2023.”

Not only will he miss the remainder of the 2024 campaign, but his next season will likely once again start delayed if he is even playing at all. In addition to that, his career might already be in jeopardy, and another injury might be the final blow.

Head coach Dave Canales expressed his sorrow on Monday: “My heart is with him,” Canales said. “The amount of hard work that he put in to get back to this place to get him to play. He’s heartbroken, I’m heartbroken. The whole group is just feeling for him. We’ll be here every step of the way with him.”

His rookie season ends with nine carries for 22 yards and three receptions for 23 yards.

Janik Eckardt is a football fan who was drawn to the sport by Adrian Peterson’s excellence. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and has an affinity for Classic rock. His active Twitter page can be found here. His work can be found on PurplePTSD, VikingsTerritory, and DraftHuddle.