CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers will be without rookie running back Jonathon Brooks for the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL in his right knee. This injury occurred just three games after he made his return to action.
In a non-contact play during Carolina’s 22-16 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, Brooks sustained the injury on his very first carry of the game. He was subsequently carted off the field for further evaluation. Panthers head coach Dave Canales conveyed that Brooks is feeling “crushed and discouraged” following this second significant knee injury in just 13 months. He first tore his ACL in November 2023 while playing at Texas, which necessitated surgery and impacted his NFL draft stock.
The Panthers selected Brooks in the second round of the draft with a plan to develop him gradually. He was held out during training camp, beginning the regular season on injured reserve and missing the first ten games. After making his return three weeks ago, he recorded only nine carries for 22 yards and three receptions for 23 yards in his brief comeback. Canales announced the MRI results to the team before addressing the media.
“Everyone is pulling for him,” Canales remarked.
With Brooks sidelined, Mike Boone is expected to fill in as the Panthers’ second-string running back.
Meanwhile, highlights of the game included second-year quarterback Bryce Young noticeably improving his performance. Canales praised Young for his decisiveness and ability to improvise, resisting the temptation to focus on a single interception during the match. Young completed 19 passes out of 34 attempts, amassing 191 yards and throwing a touchdown during a vital fourth-down play. He also added seven carries for 29 yards, showcasing his dual-threat capability.
“He’s making great decisions, and I’m fired up for his progression,” Canales stated with pride.
However, concerns remain regarding the team’s run defense. The Panthers entered the game with the league’s worst run defense and failed to change that narrative. Saquon Barkley of the Eagles rushed for 124 yards at an impressive average of 6.2 yards per carry, contributing to Philadelphia’s total of 209 rushing yards against Carolina.
On a positive note, veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen continues to defy age expectations at 34, demonstrating remarkable consistency. Thielen made an impressive catch on fourth down during Carolina’s last drive of the game, concluding the evening with nine receptions for 102 yards from 11 targets. This performance comes on the heels of another strong outing, where he registered 99 yards and a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a previous loss.
In contrast, rookie first-round draft pick Xavier Legette faced challenges, committing three drops, including a critical one during Carolina’s final possession. This specific drop could have tied the game with only 44 seconds remaining, presenting the Panthers an opportunity to take the lead.
Canales reassured Legette by emphasizing his importance to the team, stating, “Just let him know you’re a huge part of what we’re doing here. Playing the X position means you get targets and opportunities. Just make the most of those.”
Despite Legette’s struggles, Canales expressed full confidence in his potential moving forward. “We take all of these experiences to learn and grow,” he noted. “I truly believe we’ll find ourselves in high-stakes games and we’ll need to make those plays to become the team we aspire to be.”
In terms of injuries, Carolina’s top cornerback Jaycee Horn suffered a groin injury on Sunday and is currently listed as day-to-day. The Panthers are hopeful to have wide receiver Jalen Coker, edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, and safety Nick Scott return this week after they all missed the game against the Eagles.
As for key statistics, the Panthers have now seen six consecutive seasons with at least ten losses, a stark contrast to only five seasons with double-digit losses in the previous 24.
Looking ahead, the Panthers are set to host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Typically, this matchup results in a surge of Cowboys fans at Bank of America Stadium. Considering the Panthers’ current 3-10 record and their playoff aspirations being long gone, it is anticipated that an even larger contingent of Dallas fans might turn out for the game.
