Heading into the 2026-2027 season, the Carolina Panthers were ecstatic to have a backfield that consisted of Chuba Hubbard, AJ Dillon and Jonathan Brooks. Brooks was drafted by the Panthers back in 2024 but only played five regular season games since joining the organization.
This was supposed to be Brooks’ comeback year as he had fought hard to recover from not one, but two ACL tears. During training camp, Brooks displayed a fantastic mix of power running and explosive speed and had fans buzzing about his potential this season.
On Wednesday, the Panthers announced that Brooks has unfortunately suffered another significant injury that is going to keep him sidelined for the foreseeable future. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapport, Brooks is expected to miss at least six weeks as he faces a surgery to repair what is being described as a “core muscle injury”.
Frankly, it is not like the Panthers have seen massive contributions from Brooks through the first two weeks of the season. From this perspective, it is easy to assume that the Carolina offense won’t be missing a whole lot, however, game plans have to change as the depth chart does.
Although Brooks had not got going yet, it was definitely in Dave Canales’ vision that he would turn into a vital piece to the Panthers’ run game. Now that the injury bug has struck again, the Carolina front office has already been busy trying to fill the small void left in the backfield.
What is next for the Panthers?
After week one of this season, Carolina fans were given assurance by GM Dan Morgan that when there is an issue that needs attention, he is going to address it as fast as possible. Following the shocking loss that saw the Panthers allow 59 points in the season opener, roster moves were made to improve the defense, even though it meant parting ways with someone who was thought of at one time a piece of the offensive future in Charlotte (Jimmy Horn Jr.). Morgan and his staff have already started weighing options they have to beef up the backfield in Brooks’ absence.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston shared on Wednesday that veteran running back Austin Ekeler has scheduled to work out for the Panthers soon. Ekeler has faced his own injuries as of late, only playing two games a season ago before tearing his achilles. However, at just 31 years of age, Ekeler could still have a lot left in the tank if his recovery from that devastating injury went well.
Ekeler has spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders over his nine seasons in the NFL, posting over 9,000 yards from scrimmage and 73 touchdowns between a solid mix of carries and receptions.
If Carolina likes what they see from Ekeler and are able to bring him into Charlotte, we could see Bryce Young gain yet another weapon that could be difficult for other teams to defend. Even if Ekeler does not work out, Carolina fans should feel peace in knowing that the team is looking for ways to improve following the bitter news of Brooks’ injury.
It is unlikely that any deal is done in time to see major changes in the offense this coming Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. We can expect AJ Dillon to get a few carries this coming week with Chuba Hubbard still at the top of the depth chart in the running game.
