Carolina Panthers, Jonathon Brooks, NFL
Carolina Panthers Place RB on Injured Reserve After Week 2 Injury 1
The Carolina Panthers are looking to find a way to get back into the postseason after winning the NFC South last season. Despite two blowouts in opposite directions in the first two weeks of the 2026 season, the Panthers have showcased the ability to move the football. However, they are losing one of their players to the injured reserve. Let’s take a closer look at who it is and what it means for the Carolina Panthers going forward.
Carolina Panthers are placing Jonathon Brooks on injured reserve
Carolina Panthers, Jonathon Brooks, NFLCarolina Panthers, Jonathon Brooks, NFL
Sep 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (24) walks off the field after the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The Carolina Panthers are going to be without one of their rotational running backs for the next handful of weeks. Coach Dave Canales announced on Wednesday that running back Jonathon Brooks will miss six to eight weeks due to his groin injury that he suffered during Week 2’s win over the Atlanta Falcons.
The Carolina Panthers currently have two running backs on their 53-man roster following the injury in Chuba Hubbard and AJ Dillon. Additionally, they have Anthony Tyus III and Ahmani Marshall on the practice squad.
Below are the next eight weeks to see which games he would miss:
Week 3: at Cleveland Browns
Week 4: vs. Detroit Lions
Week 5: Bye
Week 6: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 8: at Green Bay Packers
Week 9: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 10: at New Orleans Saints
That stretch of games will certainly not be easy, but only missing seven games on the long-term situation of that timeline due to the bye week makes it help.
Brooks has not been able to stay healthy since being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. In three seasons, he has been limited to five games (one start) and has 18 rushing attempts for 52 yards (2.9 yards per carry) as well as five receptions on six targets for 43 yards (21.5 yards per catch), but has not found the end zone in his young NFL career thus far. It will be intriguing to see how long he actually misses and what the Carolina Panthers are able to do without him in the rotation.