Panthers RB to miss 2025 season after placement on PUP list

Brooks suffered a torn ACL in his collegiate career, prematurely ending his junior year.

The former Texas running back was one of the most touted players at his position when he entered the 2024 draft, but he slightly slipped due to his significant knee injury.

Brooks did not make his rookie debut until Week 12 last season, and he only appeared in three games. He tore his ACL in Week 14, his second ACL injury in as many years, putting his NFL career in legitimate jeopardy.

In his brief stint, Brooks totaled nine carries for 22 yards while securing all three of his targets for 23 yards.

Carolina signed running back Chuba Hubbard to a four-year, $33.25 million contract several weeks before Brooks' debut.

It was a puzzling decision at the time, as the Panthers had just signed Miles Sanders to a multiyear deal the previous offseason and had just invested a second-round pick into Brooks, as mentioned earlier.

With Brooks' future as an NFL running back looking bleak and Sanders now on the Dallas Cowboys, it is safe to say that extending Hubbard was the right decision.

Quarterback Bryce Young is attempting to expand on what he accomplished last season, potentially saving his career with consistent production and performances after being benched a few weeks into the 2024 campaign.

As disappointing as Brooks' injury is, the Panthers will focus on 2025 and Young's development, hoping Carolina can take another step toward competing for an NFC South division title.