AUSTIN (KXAN) — Carolina Panthers rookie and former Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks is out indefinitely after re-tearing the ACL in his right knee Sunday.
Brooks suffered what was described as a “non-contact” injury during the first quarter of Carolina’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He took a handoff from quarterback Bryce Young, went to stretch it to the outside and, after planting his foot to cut, went down to the ground.
He tore it the first time Nov. 11, 2023, in the fourth quarter of a 29-26 win over TCU.
Brooks returned to the field Nov. 24 against the Kansas City Chiefs following the same injury that ended his final season at Texas. He rushed for 1,139 yards with 10 touchdowns for the Longhorns before tearing his ACL last season. He’s played in three games for the Panthers in his rookie season.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Brooks will need surgery.
“My heart is with him,” Canales said. “He’s heartbroken, I’m heartbroken, the whole group is feeling for him. We’ll be here every step of the way for him.”
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Carolina drafted Brooks in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft while he was healing from the previous injury. In limited action with the Panthers, Brooks showed the same versatility that made him a Doak Walker Award semifinalist at Texas, gaining 22 yards on nine carries and 23 yards on three catches.
Chuba Hubbard, the Panthers’ No. 1 running back, has mentored Brooks all season and echoed what Canales said.
“I know he’s hurting, but we got his back right now. He’ll be back, and that’s all important,” Hubbard said.
