Opportunity presenting itself for Panthers' Jonathon Brooks

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (25). IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Opportunity presenting itself for Panthers' Jonathon Brooks

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Aug 13, 2026 1:57 PM ET

The Carolina Panthers had one of the more underrated rushing attacks in the NFL last season.

A two-headed monster of Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard helped Carolina finish the season with the 10th best rushing yards per game in the NFC.

A forgotten member of that expected running back room last season is Jonathon Brooks. Brooks suffered season-ending injuries in both 2024 and 2025.

Now, Brooks is healthy again and a massive opportunity is presenting itself for the third-year back out of Texas.

Chuba Hubbard is injured, opening the door for Jonathon Brooks

Brooks is expected to be the starting running back for the Panthers' first preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. Past that, though, Brooks could be trusted with a bigger role.

Expected starter Chuba Hubbard is dealing with a hamstring injury and is considered week-to-week. No two hamstring injuries are ever the same, so there is no real way of knowing how Hubbard will recover and when he can become available.

Hubbard is expected to be available for Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, but that is no guarantee.

Panthers third-year running back Jonathon Brooks will appear in the first preseason game of his NFL career on Saturday at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, against the Buffalo Bills.

Story via @mike_e_kaye:https://t.co/YXdwRnZ9le
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 12, 2026

Can Jonathon Brooks make the most of his opportunity?

Brooks has just three carries for 22 yards in his career, so the ability to start and perform in preseason games will be absolutely crucial for his long-term future with the organization.

If Brooks is able to stay healthy and perform well throughout the preseason, he could be an X-factor type player alongside Hubbard throughout the season as Carolina pursues back-to-back playoff appearances.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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