On Thursday, the Carolina Panthers placed running back Jonathon Brooks on the physically unable to perform list due to a torn ACL he suffered late last season. Brooks’ move to the PUP list means he will be sidelined for the entirety of the 2025 season. Last season, Carolina’s rushing game was spearheaded by Chuba Hubbard, who signed a lucrative four-year, $33.2 million contract extension in November. In 15 games, all of which he started, Hubbard achieved career-high numbers in rushing yards (1,195), rushing touchdowns (10), and receptions (43).
Brooks’ rookie season was cut short after just three games and nine carries following a right knee injury during the Panthers’ defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 8. The incident occurred when Brooks attempted to make a cut on a first-quarter run, resulting in a non-contact injury. Despite trying to walk off the field, he required assistance to reach the sideline.
A second-round draft pick from Texas, Brooks was still recuperating from ACL surgery on the same knee at the start of the 2024 season. His initial ACL injury took place during Texas Longhorns’ win over TCU in November 2023. Brooks, aged 21, made his NFL debut on Nov. 24 against the Kansas City Chiefs, rushing for 7 yards on two carries. The following week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he gained 18 yards on six attempts before sustaining an injury on his lone carry against the Philadelphia Eagles.
