Is Jonathon Brooks The Starting Running Back For The Panthers When He Returns? Week 11 Update

Will Jonathon Brooks start for the Carolina Panthers when he returns? John Johnson breaks down the Jonathon Brooks return timeline and fantasy football outlook.

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) was finally elevated to the active roster. The team took all the time it had with his practice window before finally announcing on the last possible day that he would be elevated, meaning he wouldn't have to miss the remainder of the 2024 season. 

It's been a long road to recovery for Brooks, who tore his ACL in November of 2023 with the Texas Longhorns. Still, he was drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, indicating that Carolina had faith that he could be a critical playmaker for their team. So it's been frustrating for fantasy managers to see him sit out for so long.

He was held out of Week 10's game as well. So, will he be the starting running back for the Panthers when he returns to play? Here is the latest outlook on Brooks and if fantasy managers should start him for the season or consider looking for alternative players.

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Will Jonathon Brooks Start For The Panthers When He Returns?

Earlier in the season, it seemed like this was a possibility, but now, the chances of him being the starter have massively diminished. Carolina gave a big contract to current lead back Chuba Hubbard, handing him a four-year, $33.2 million deal, expressing their confidence in his high level of play.

Panthers, RB Chuba Hubbard agree to terms on 4-year, $33.2M contract extension. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/bUFfXcuj26

— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2024

It's been strange to see them hand a big contract to second-string running back Miles Sanders before the 2023 season, then draft Brooks as the first back off the board in 2024, only to hand Hubbard such a big deal. The team now has significant draft capital and resources invested in their three RBs.

Still, for now, it's obvious that Hubbard is the top guy and will probably remain the starter for the rest of the season, barring something unexpected.

Jonathon Brooks Fantasy Football Outlook

The best-case scenario for Brooks now is a somewhat even split of work with Hubbard in Weeks 13-18, heavily diminishing his fantasy value from preseason expectations. The team may opt to slowly ramp up his activity levels when he comes back, and the team is on bye in Week 11, meaning it could be a longer wait.

Jonathon Brooks might be on the Jameson Williams career arc

- Team trades up in the NFL Draft
- Redshirt rookie year
- Play behind established veterans in Year 2
- Unleashed in Year 3

If that's the case, we only have to wait until 2026 for Brooks to become fantasy relevant

— Josh Larky (@jlarkytweets) November 11, 2024

Though waiting until 2026 to see him excel is probably the most pessimistic of takes, there's not much reason for optimism in 2024. They're a losing team likely destined to miss the playoffs, and it would be the least surprising outcome if they limit his touches for the rest of this year. He could see a few decent games, though.

It's a tough outcome for fantasy managers who drafted him and held on to him for this long, but at this point, if you have him on any rosters, you may as well hang on to him just to see what happens. He does have great ability as a pass-catcher, which could at least give him value in PPR leagues down the stretch.

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