Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks remains out of practice, but team hopeful he’ll play vs. Bears

Carolina's running back Jonathon Brooks has missed his third consecutive practice due to "general soreness." Panthers head coach Dave Canales remains optimistic the young player will be ready for Sunday's season opener against the Chicago Bears. Brooks has been working on the side with trainers while his teammates participated in a short, non-padded practice.

Canales stated that Brooks ran during Monday's session and that they will reassess his condition compared to his previous state before making a final decision. Last week, Canales expressed strong optimism about Brooks' prospects of playing in the opener. Since joining the Panthers, Brooks has missed 31 out of 34 regular-season games.

Despite this, the team remains highly confident in his abilities and believes he would be an excellent complement to starting running back Chuba Hubbard if he can maintain his health. The Panthers finished 19th in the league in rushing during the previous season, averaging 116.3 yards per game. They will face a Bears defense that allowed 134.5 yards per game last season, ranking 22nd in the league.

Canales praised Brooks' versatility, noting his proficiency in various aspects of the game, including pass and screen plays, as well as his impressive speed. He cautioned that Brooks' speed can be deceptive, as it may take opponents by surprise due to his smooth, long stride.