It May Finally Be the Year for Panthers' Jonathan Brooks
Panthers' Jonathan Brooks is finally hitting the field.
Jonathon Brooks, the Carolina Panthers running back, has long awaited the opportunity to savor a moment like scoring his first touchdown. After enduring numerous setbacks since entering the NFL, finally crossing into the end zone marked a modest yet significant milestone. Drafted by Carolina with the 46th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Brooks entered the league with great promise but faced a challenging path back to the field.
A torn ACL during his final season at Texas, followed by another ACL injury in 2024, forced him to miss the entirety of the 2025 NFL season. Now, he has returned to action during the Panthers' preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he showcased his resilience by scoring a one-yard touchdown. This one-yard run, though seemingly insignificant, carried immense weight given the arduous journey Brooks has traversed to reclaim his place on an NFL field.
While it's premature to attribute too much significance to a single preseason touchdown, Brooks' performance has garnered attention from CBS Sports, who have labeled him a winner for his impressive display. The Panthers drafted Brooks in the second round, confident that he could become a pivotal player in their offense. Injuries had previously hindered his ability to demonstrate his true potential at the NFL level.
However, this moment may signal a turning point in his career. As the regular season approaches, Brooks has the chance to build momentum and further prove why Carolina invested such a high draft pick in him. For a player who has endured extensive rehab and waiting periods, simply being back on the field signifies a considerable achievement.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
