Among the many roster moves the Panthers made on Thursday was the decision to place Jonathon Brooks on the physically unable to perform list. As a result, the second-year running back will miss the entire 2025 campaign. 
Brooks’ college career ended due to an ACL tear. The injury delayed his NFL debut, and Brooks wound up making only three appearances as a rookie. The top running back in last year’s draft suffered another ACL tear in December, however, which cut short his season and led to questions about his 2025 availability. Now, his attention will turn to a lengthy rehab timeline.
By January, Brooks had undergone surgery on his right knee, the same one affected by his previous ACL tear. The timing of that procedure left the door open to a return late in the 2025 season, but that is no longer the case. The 21-year-old – whose rookie contract runs through 2027 – will look to return to full health by next fall in a bid to live up to expectations in Carolina.
In the meantime, the Panthers will move forward with a backfield which will likely once again be led by Chuba Hubbard. The 25-year-old Canadian enjoyed a career year last season and he earned a four-year extension along the way. Hubbard can be expected to reprise his role as Carolina’s top running back as the team looks to take a needed step forward in the passing game in 2025. Free agent addition Rico Dowdle (who parlayed his one and only year as a Cowboys starter into a 1,000-yard campaign) is also in the mix.
The Panthers also made an addition at the RB spot during the draft. Trevor Etienne was selected in the fourth round, and he could provide depth contributions as a rookie with Brooks out of the picture for this season. The latter enjoyed a successful final year at Texas, topping 1,400 scrimmage yards and scoring 11 total touchdowns. That helped make him a second-round pick, but to date things have not gone according to plan at the pro level.
While efficiency through the air was an issue for Carolina in 2024, the team finished mid-pack in rushing production. Brooks could have been counted on to play a role in duplicating or improving upon that mark late this season, but that will no longer be the case.