The first official NFL practice for Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks finally came on Wednesday. And according to head coach Dave Canales, it was a great start for the rookie.
Canales spoke with reporters following the session this afternoon. He was asked how Brooks, who was officially designated to return earlier in the morning, looked.
“He looked great,” Canales replied. “He took a couple of snaps, went through the individual period. So, it was good to have him out there, see him running around.
“Something that we’ve certainly been excited about. Just get him out there and make sure we do the right thing for Jonathon, first and foremost. And then from there, we’ll just kinda take it a week at a time and see where he’s able to help us.”
You think everybody’s here to see one guy?
(spoiler: yes. It’s Jonathon Brooks first day back at practice) pic.twitter.com/VZheSLrUCL
— Kassidy Hill (@KassidyGHill) October 16, 2024
Panthers rookie RB Jonathon Brooks making all the moves. pic.twitter.com/48Z3dAam3d
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) October 16, 2024
Brooks, the team’s second-round pick from this year’s draft, had remained sidelined since last November due to an ACL tear. He did not participate in offseason workouts and sat on the reserve/non-football injury list for the first six weeks of the regular season.
Now that he’s back at practice, Brooks will have 21 days to be moved to the active roster. But when will that day come?
“Just looking for the confidence, looking for him to just play normal football,” Canales said when asked how the team will be monitoring Brooks’ progress. “And when we can see that happen, and we see the comfortability and confidence to play fast, then we know he’s ready to go.”
Along with Brooks, the Panthers also got rookie defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy and safety Sam Franklin Jr. back on the practice field today.
