The Carolina Panthers’ worst fears for rookie running back Jonathon Brooks were confirmed on Monday, as head coach Dave Canales revealed that Brooks has re-torn the ACL in his right knee during the team’s Week 14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The 21-year-old had already missed the entire offseason and the first 10 games of the season due to recovering from a previous ACL tear, and now, he will be sidelined for the rest of the year after this second injury.
So, where do the Panthers go from here with their backfield after this latest setback?
The answer isn’t straightforward, and it may take some time to determine. If we look back at the recovery timeline for Brooks’ first ACL tear, it took just over a year for him to return to playing. He sustained the injury while at the University of Texas on November 11, 2023, and made his NFL debut for the Panthers almost a year later, on November 24, 2024.
However, each injury is unique, even if the injury type is the same. The extent of this tear could vary—perhaps it’s less severe and will require less recovery time, or it could be worse, meaning a longer rehabilitation process. As with most injuries, the recovery timeline isn’t always clear at the start and may change as progress is made. Brooks’ first recovery was expected to allow him to return by training camp, but that wasn’t the case, so it’s uncertain whether this second recovery will follow a similar or different path.
What is certain is that Brooks’ rehabilitation will be a gradual and carefully managed process alongside the team, taking time as he works toward recovery. Following Monday’s announcement, Canales confirmed that Mike Boone will step in as the next option behind starting running back Chuba Hubbard. Boone, who is currently on the practice squad, had a solid preseason, rushing for 76 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
Despite his strong showing, Boone was waived when the team cut down to the 53-man roster, which surprised many. He was quickly re-signed to the practice squad and has seen action in a couple of games since then. Canales did not rule out the possibility of seeking another option through free agency, though Boone will get the first opportunity to step up while Miles Sanders remains sidelined.
Sanders, who suffered an ankle injury in Week 10 against the New York Giants, is on injured reserve but is eligible to return later in the season. If Brooks’ recovery extends into most or all of the 2025 season, Sanders may still have a role in the Panthers’ backfield, a possibility that seemed unlikely recently.
The past two seasons have been among the worst of Sanders’ career, both coming with Carolina in 2023 and 2024. Since signing a four-year, $25.4 million deal last spring, he has accumulated just 571 rushing yards (3.4 yards per carry) and two touchdowns over 26 games. However, if Sanders remains with the team as a change-of-pace back alongside Hubbard next season, his contract may appear more favorable.