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Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
According to a new report, with Jonathon Brooks expected to be sidelined for at least a month, the Carolina Panthers are working out a veteran touchdown machine to take his spot in the backfield.
The Panthers head into their Week 3 game against the Cleveland Browns with reason for optimism. Yes, their defense gave up an absurd 59 points in a Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears. However, for the first time in several years, their offense has been hitting on all cylinders.
In their loss to Chicago, they scored 37, then followed that up this past weekend by dropping 34 in their dominant win over the Atlanta Falcons. Quarterback Bryce Young has played well, and third-year receiver Jalen Coker has been outstanding over the first two weeks.
Unfortunately, they haven’t gotten much from their run game, and the unit took a hit this week when running back Jonathon Brooks required surgery for a core muscle injury. He was placed on injured reserve and will miss at least a month. To replace him on the roster and try to get more production out of the backfield, the Panthers could soon add a versatile nine-year veteran.
NFL insider Aaron Wilson reports that free agent running back Austin Ekeler will work out today for the Panthers. The 31-year-old’s 2025 season was cut short in September after he suffered a torn Achilles. However, Wilson claims Ekeler “has been fully medically cleared” following surgery and offseason rehab.
Why Austin Ekeler would be a good signing for the Carolina Panthers
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20. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers (2022) – 372.7 points Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Ekeler had a disappointing two-year run for the Washington Commanders and had an off year in his final season with the Los Angeles Chargers. A case can be made that his best years are well behind him, and this is the last gasp of a once productive career.
However, if Ekeler is right, he is a very useful talent for skilled play callers. The running back twice led the league in touchdowns from scrimmage. He rushed for a career-high 915 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2022 and had a career-high 92 receptions for 993 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2019.
Yes, that was quite a few years ago, but it is a showcase of his versatility. The Panthers don’t need him to be a bell-cow running back. However, for a passing attack that has looked good the first two weeks, Ekeler offers another option and something else opposing defenses need to factor into their game plans in the weeks ahead.