Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks to injured reserve with groin injury
The short version
- Jonathon Brooks scheduled for core muscle surgery Wednesday; out at least six weeks on injured reserve
- Re-injured his groin in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 34-3 win at Atlanta
- Has nine carries for 30 yards and two catches for 43 yards this season as Chuba Hubbard's backup
- Austin Ekeler is visiting the Panthers as the team seeks backfield depth
Carolina's third-year running back needs core muscle surgery and will sit out a minimum of six weeks after aggravating a groin problem Sunday in Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is headed back to injured reserve. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the 23-year-old is scheduled for surgery Wednesday to address a core muscle problem, with a recovery window of no fewer than six weeks.
The groin issue dates to training camp, when the club initially described it as soreness. Brooks sat out practices leading into the season opener yet was active for the 59-37 defeat against Chicago, then re-injured the groin late in Sunday's 34-3 victory at Atlanta, exiting in the fourth quarter with trainers.
Drafted 46th overall in 2024 — the first running back taken that year after Carolina moved up with Indianapolis — Brooks has been limited by knee trouble throughout his pro career. He tore a ligament in his right knee at Texas in November 2023, debuted in the NFL that November, and tore the same ligament two weeks later against Philadelphia, wiping out the remainder of 2024 and all of 2025.
Across two appearances this season, Brooks carried nine times for 30 yards and added two receptions for 43 yards while working as the No. 2 option behind Chuba Hubbard, who has 102 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. With Trevor Etienne unavailable until Week 6, AJ Dillon (eight carries, 25 yards) is the top reserve, and NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports Austin Ekeler is visiting the team. The 1-1 Panthers travel to Cleveland on Sunday.
