Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks to play vs. Bears without limitations
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks has "no limitations" entering the team's Week 1 home matchup against the Chicago Bears, according to coach Dave Canales.
Brooks was left off the final injury report Friday after dealing with a groin issue earlier in the week.
Canales said he is looking forward to partnering the third-year running back with team captain and veteran ball carrier Chuba Hubbard this season. Canales said the team has been planning for a "really long time"to have the duo lead the backfield.
The Panthers used a second-round pick on Brooks -- the 46th overall selection -- during the 2024 NFL draft. But he has played in just three regular-season games since that selection.
Brooks is coming off back-to-back right ACL surgeries. While he participated in training camp and the preseason this summer for the first time in his three-year career, Brooks' workload was managed by the Panthers. He played 17 snaps in two preseason games and was given a hefty number of reps against the Jaguars and Texans in joint practices.
During the exhibition slate, Brooks ran the ball eight times for 23 yards and caught one pass for 9 yards. Before last month's preseason matchup against the Bills, Brooks hadn't played in a game since December 2024, when he reinjured his right ACL against the Eagles during his rookie season. In his three regular-season appearances, Brooks produced 22 rushing yards and 23 receiving yards on 12 total touches.
Hubbard, who was sidelined throughout the preseason with a hamstring injury, was listed as the team's starter on its unofficial depth chart for Week 1. The team also kept veteran journeyman AJ Dillon following the cut-down deadline. Trevor Etienne, a fourth-round Carolina pick in 2025, was placed on injured reserve last month with an ankle injury.
Outside linebacker Patrick Jones II (back) was the lone name on the final injury report for the Panthers. He is considered week-to-week after sustaining an injury in practice unrelated to his back ailment last season.
