Panthers Recent Second-Round Pick Already Ruled Out for 2025 Season With Major Injury

The Carolina Panthers continue to have bad luck with former second-round pick running back Jonathan Brooks. Brooks is still recovering from his second ACL tear and has already been ruled out for the 2025 season.

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Brooks was selected by the Panthers in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Texas. Carolina was taking a major risk drafting him due to the ACL tear he suffered while a member of the Longhorns.

Despite the injury, the team believed he could recover and be an integral part of their offense. However, Brooks was activated in November 2024 and would only make it through three games before suffering a second ACL tear on the same leg as the one he suffered in college.

It can usually take players up to a year, and sometimes more, to suffer from an ACL tear. Brooks has already been shut down, meaning there is a slim chance he will be ready to play in the 2025 season at all.

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This is tough news for Brooks, as the young back could have been a huge contributor to a run game the Panthers desperately need. Now, he will miss his rookie and sophomore seasons in the NFL.

Before Brooks suffered the ACL tear in the final game of the 2023 season, and had compiled 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final collegiate season. The hope was that he would fully heal in a way that he could become the lead back for the Panthers, but that will be delayed another season.

In Brooks' three games in the 2024 season, he secured 22 yards on nine carries, including 23 receiving yards on three receptions.

Brooks could still be a dual-threat back in the NFL, but he will need to fully heal before he touches the field again. Should the Panthers have a good season and make the playoffs, the young back might be able to make his way back to the lineup.

The good news is the Panthers did see Chuba Hubbard secure 1,195 and eight touchdowns on the ground, giving them a viable running back threat. Still, Brooks could have been a huge complement to Hubbard.

Brooks has a long road to recovery, and the hope is that he can heal to return to action in the NFL either in the playoffs if the Panthers make it, or be fully healed and ready to go in 2026.

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