The Carolina Panthers were one of the worst offenses in the league last season, leading to one of the biggest overhauls in franchise history. Along with remaking their receiving core, hiring offensive-minded head coach Dave Canales, and revamping the offensive line, the Panthers added their new potential starting running back in the second round in former Texas Longhorn Jonathon Brooks.
#Panthers HC Dave Canales on Jonathon Brooks:
“He will not play this preseason. He’s doing great. I saw him running out a little bit before practice. They have a progression on him. He feels stronger and stronger every day… Physically, this is a guy that really can make an… pic.twitter.com/OORczNnrs2
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) August 3, 2024
Going into the draft Brooks was seen as a potential first round talent, only dropping because of his expected recovery from an ACL injury he suffered during the season. That ACL injury looks like it will sideline Brooks going for the preseason and for multiple weeks into the early season with a hopeful return by “week three or four” according to Canales.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for a Bryce Young lead offense that can use any help that it can get at this point. Brooks would clearly be the most gifted running back on the roster and could be the workhorse of the offense. We will have to wait and see when exactly Brooks will get his debut, and Carolina will need to find answers outside their talented rookie to get this offense moving.
