RADIO
Jonathon Brooks Considered Week-to-Week
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) is now considered week-to-week while he gets second opinions on his groin injury, a source told Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Brooks first injured his groin in training camp and then tweaked it again in the Week 2 win over the division-rival Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The 23-year-old had four carries for 14 yards and caught one of his two targets for a 48-yard pickup in the Week 1 loss to the Carolina Panthers, and carried the ball five times for 16 yards with one catch for a loss of five yards in Week 2 before being pulled. The former second-rounder from Texas has already suffered two torn ACLs in his short time in the NFL, and he just has not been able to stay healthy. If he is forced to miss any time, starting in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns, Chuba Hubbard will become a must-start in fantasy football. AJ Dillon would likely become the RB2 for Carolina behind Hubbard. Fantasy managers who took Brooks as a sleeper to eventually take over the Panthers' backfield in 2026 have to be disappointed with the start he has had through two games.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Jonathon Brooks Undergoing Further Testing on Groin
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) is undergoing further testing Monday, according to Nick Carboni. Brooks aggravated the same groin injury that sidelined him late in training camp during Sunday's 34-3 win over Atlanta. Head coach Dave Canales called him day-to-day after the game and said the team would have more information as the week went on. Brooks finished with five carries for 16 yards and one catch for minus-five yards before leaving in the fourth quarter. Carolina has not given a timetable for his return, so his status for Sunday's Week 3 game at Cleveland remains up in the air.
Source: Nick Carboni
Source: Nick Carboni
Jonathon Brooks Day-to-Day After Aggravating Injury in Week 2
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) is considered day-to-day per head coach Dave Canales, The Athletic's Joe Person reported via the X platform on Sunday. Brooks, who sustained the injury during training camp, had five carries for 16 yards before signaling for a trainer and exiting Sunday's 34-3 win against the Atlanta Falcons. Fellow back Chuba Hubbard did the heavy lifting for Carolina's ground attack in the victory, logging 12 carries for 53 yards. Brooks had just four carries for 14 yards in Week 1 and has yet to score a touchdown in 2026.
Source: Joe Person
Source: Joe Person
Jonathon Brooks Questionable to Return With Groin Injury
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against Atlanta. According to Mike Kaye, Brooks signaled for a trainer immediately after his last carry before walking to the tunnel with three staff members. The Panthers have since announced that he is dealing with a groin injury. Brooks had five carries for 16 yards before leaving the game. Chuba Hubbard had already handled most of the backfield work, rushing 12 times for 53 yards, and would remain the clear lead option if Brooks can't return. AJ Dillon is next behind them on Carolina's depth chart.
Source: Mike Kaye
Source: Mike Kaye
Chuba Hubbard Profiles as a Steady RB2 Option in Week 2
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard had a highly productive game in his team's 59-37 Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears, recording 10 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown and three catches for 38 yards and a touchdown on three targets. Hubbard likely would have seen more work on the ground, but the Panthers were chasing points for most of the game before it devolved into a blowout in the fourth quarter. Perhaps most encouragingly for fantasy managers, Hubbard played 48 snaps against the Bears, while Panthers RB2 Jonathon Brooks played just 13. In Week 2, Carolina will take on an Atlanta Falcons defense that allowed just 58 rushing yards to the Pittsburgh Steelers in its season opener. However, Atlanta will be starting its third-string quarterback, Cooper Rush. If the Panthers can get out to an early lead, Hubbard could see plenty of work in a favorable game script. All in all, Hubbard profiles as a solid RB2 option for fantasy managers in Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jonathon Brooks Will Look to be More Involved in Week 2
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks will look for an expanded role in Sunday's Week 2 matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons. Brooks' usage was down in last Sunday's 59-37 loss to the Chicago Bears. The 23-year-old rushed for 14 yards on four carries and caught one of two targets for 48 yards. He was out-touched by backfield teammate Chuba Hubbard, 13 to five, and had 13 offensive snaps compared to Hubbard's 48. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL and has only logged four games over his three-year career. Brooks should be more involved in Week 2 but is set to back up Hubbard again versus the Falcons. He comes in as RotoBaller's RB44, making him a FLEX play option at best in most leagues for Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chuba Hubbard Set To Lead Carolina's Rushing Attack Again Vs. Atlanta
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard will look to stay productive in Week 2's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. He started for the Panthers and was the team's clear RB1 in Sunday's 59-37 loss to the Chicago Bears. Hubbard rushed for 49 yards on 10 attempts and a touchdown while catching all three of his targets for 38 yards and a score. The 27-year-old was dealing with a hamstring injury in training camp, but was cleared and showed no lingering effects of the injury in the regular-season opener. He out-touched backfield teammate Jonathon Brooks 13 to five and had 48 offensive snaps compared to Brooks' 13. However, the Falcons' rushing defense limited the Steelers to just 58 rushing yards and 2.8 yards per carry. With Hubbard set to lead Carolina's rushing attack again, he will look to be productive again and comes in as RB19 in the latest RotoBaller rankings, making him a solid RB2 in Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chuba Hubbard the Undisputed Top Running Back in Carolina
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard proved that he was the primary option out of the backfield during the team's Week 1 loss against the Chicago Bears. Hubbard played 71% of the offensive snaps with 49 rushing yards, 38 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. For comparison, teammate Jonathon Brooks played just 19% of the snaps, had five touches, and averaged 3.5 yards per carry. All offseason long, there was plenty of chatter that Brooks might overtake Hubbard in the backfield. That could still happen at some point late this season or next season, but the comparison of their volume and production from Week 1 shows that the Panthers should still have confidence in Hubbard as their primary running back. He is expected to have another solid showing in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, who just surrendered 46 rushing yards and 27 receiving yards to Jaylen Warren.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jonathon Brooks Plays Second Fiddle for Panthers in Week 1
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks played a clear backup role behind Chuba Hubbard in a 59-37 Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears. Brooks did have a highlight play on a 48-yard reception from quarterback Bryce Young, but he carried the ball just four times for 14 yards. Meanwhile, Hubbard recorded 10 carries for 49 yards and a rushing touchdown, in addition to three receptions for 38 yards and a receiving touchdown. According to Pro Football Focus, Brooks played just 13 offensive snaps compared to Hubbard's 48, which is a telling sign of the pecking order in Carolina's backfield. With that in mind, it was a high-scoring game that called for a lot of passing plays, and the Panthers had to play catch-up often. Brooks will have a Week 2 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, but as of right now, he shouldn't be viewed as more than a desperate flex option.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Chuba Hubbard Cleared, a Flex Option in Week 1 vs. the Bears
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) doesn't carry an injury designation heading into Week 1's matchup against the Chicago Bears. Hubbard practiced this week and was not listed on Carolina's injury report after dealing with a hamstring injury since mid-August. Backfield teammate Jonathon Brooks (groin) was also removed from the injury report as the Panthers will have both running backs available in Week 1. Hubbard rushed for 511 yards and one touchdown while catching 30 passes for 223 yards and three scores in 15 games last season. He is listed as the RB1 in Carolina's depth chart but will likely split touches with Brooks. The 27-year-old is RotoBaller's RB31 and is considered a FLEX option heading into Week 1 against a Bears defense that allowed 134.5 rushing yards per game last year. With the plus matchup, fantasy managers can start Hubbard as a FLEX in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jonathon Brooks Emerging as a Flex Option For Week 1
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Brooks was cleared to play after practicing throughout the week. According to Panthers head coach Dave Canales, he will face "no limitations" in reps. The 23-year-old missed all of last season with a torn ACL and has only logged three games over his two-year career. He will likely split carries with backfield teammate Chuba Hubbard (hamstring), who was also cleared after dealing with a hamstring injury since mid-August. Brooks will face a Bears defense that allowed 134.5 rushing yards per game, ranking 27th in the NFL last year. With a positive matchup, Brooks emerges as a FLEX option and is ranked 75th overall (RB32) for Week 1. Even with the split with Hubbard, Brooks should produce enough to be a solid option for fantasy managers in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jonathon Brooks Will Have "No Limitations" on Sunday
After fully participating in Friday's practice, Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) has been cleared for Sunday's season opener against the Bears, and head coach Dave Canales says he will face "no limitations" in terms of rep count. Brooks missed the entirety of the 2025 season after tearing his ACL for the second time in December of 2024, but it was a groin issue that limited him to begin the week. With both injuries seemingly behind him, he will suit up for his first regular-season game in over 21 months, and he projects to split time with veteran Chuba Hubbard. The first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Brooks has carried the ball only nine times in his professional career, but with neither he nor Hubbard carrying an injury designation into Sunday, Canales told reporters, "This is a tandem we've been thinking about for a very long time, and I'm excited to see those guys get out there and help our team." Still facing a difficult-to-predict Week 1 workload, Brooks is RotoBaller's RB32 for the week.
Source: Joe Person
Source: Joe Person
Jonathon Brooks Set to Play in Week 1
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) does not have an injury designation on Friday and will play in the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. Things were trending this way with Brooks practicing all week, but now it is official. The 23-year-old former second-round pick in 2024 from Texas will be playing in just his fourth NFL game after tearing his ACL twice since entering the NFL. Carolina's backfield hierarchy is a bit unclear going into the season opener, but both Brooks and Chuba Hubbard should have sizeable roles in 2026. The Panthers talked Brooks up during training camp and the preseason, causing him to rise on fantasy draft boards, and as long as he stays healthy, he should be a weekly RB3/flex option with upside if he can finally stay healthy in the NFL. Both Brooks and Hubbard should be viewed as RB3/flexes for a difficult Week 1 matchup against the Bears' defense.
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Jonathon Brooks on Field for Third Straight Practice
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) was back in uniform and practicing with teammates Friday, according to Mike Kaye. That makes three straight practices for Brooks after he was still working off to the side earlier this week. He was officially limited Wednesday and Thursday, but the direction here has been positive. Brooks said Wednesday he expects to play against Chicago, and head coach Dave Canales said he's "very confident" the third-year back will be available. Friday's final injury report will tell us whether Brooks carries a designation into Sunday. Brooks hasn't played a regular-season snap since tearing his right ACL for the second time in December 2024, though he did get into two preseason games this summer. Chuba Hubbard sits atop Carolina's depth chart, and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik said this week that Hubbard, Brooks and AJ Dillon have all earned roles and can be mixed and matched. Brooks looks increasingly likely to play, but his workload is still the part fantasy managers have to be careful with in Week 1.
Source: Mike Kaye
Source: Mike Kaye
Jonathon Brooks Expected to Play Against Chicago
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) is expected to play in Sunday's season opener against Chicago. Brooks was back in uniform and pads at Wednesday's practice after spending recent sessions working off to the side with trainers because of general soreness, although he was officially a limited participant. After practice, head coach Dave Canales said he is "very confident" Brooks will play, according to Joe Person. That's a significant step forward after Canales was taking Brooks' status day by day earlier in the week. The third-year back missed all of 2025 following his second right ACL tear but returned this summer and played in two preseason games. Carolina has never connected the recent soreness to a specific body part. With Brooks back in pads and Canales sounding confident afterward, he appears set to join Chuba Hubbard in the Panthers' backfield against the Bears.
Source: Joe Person
Source: Joe Person
