For all the (deserved) doom and gloom over the 2024 Panthers, there is reason for hope. After benching former top pick Bryce Young, the offense looks functional. With Andy Dalton now at quarterback, an underrated group of skill position players, including Diontae Johnson and Chuba Hubbard, have impressed. Now, as we enter Week 7, Carolina might get even more explosive.
In the second round of last April’s NFL Draft, the Panthers selected running back Jonathon Brooks. Although the Texas product had a real claim as the best runner in the nation, his stock took a major hit after a torn ACL injury last November. Now, at the midway point of the 2024 season, Brooks is close to making his much-anticipated NFL debut.
On Wednesday, Carolina designated Brooks to return from the non-football injury list. That gives the rookie a 21-day window to join the active roster. Considering they are in the middle of a rebuild, the Panthers aren’t expected to rush him back into action. Still, even the most conservative of projections would have Brooks playing the Giants in Week 10.
Although the young running back should get ample opportunity to showcase his skills, there’s no guarantee he’s handed a big workload to start. Hubbard has excelled as a starter, currently ranked as the fantasy RB5, but he’s set to enter free agency in March. The Panthers didn’t spend significant draft capital not to have Brooks take over the backfield. Health permitting, expect something close to a 50-50 split between these two by the end of the season.
Even more promising for Brooks’ long-term status is the recent report by Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz that Carolina is actively shopping Miles Sanders on the trade market:
The former Eagles running back doesn’t get many carries, but trading him would send a strong message that Carolina’s front office intends to give Brooks an opportunity this year.
Given the way Hubbard is playing right now, there’s no guarantee he cedes snaps to anyone down the stretch. Still, as the reality of another lost year dawns on the Panthers, there’s little reason not to see what they have in the über-talented Brooks. Stash this promising back on your bench, as his potential is far too great to leave on the waiver wire.
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