CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers have officially placed rookie running back Jonathon Brooks on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, the team announced Thursday. The move comes as Brooks continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered in Week 14 of his final college season at Texas. With this designation, Brooks will be sidelined for the entire 2025 NFL season.
The Panthers selected Brooks in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, making him the first running back taken off the board this year. Despite his injury, Carolina was clearly confident in Brooks’ long-term potential, betting on his explosive upside and dynamic skill set to eventually anchor their backfield.
Prior to his injury, Brooks was widely regarded as one of the top backs in college football. He rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 games for the Longhorns in 2023, showing a rare blend of vision, power, and elusiveness that vaulted him into early-round draft conversations.
While the PUP designation prevents Brooks from practicing or playing this year, it also allows the 20-year-old to fully dedicate his time to recovery and rehab without the pressure of returning midseason.
“Jonathon’s a special talent,” head coach Dave Canales said earlier this offseason. “We knew about the injury, and we drafted him with the future in mind. This year will be about getting him fully healthy and mentally prepared for the demands of the NFL.”
The Panthers are expected to rely on a committee approach in the backfield during Brooks’ absence, with veterans Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders likely to handle the bulk of the carries in 2025. Even so, Brooks remains a key piece in the team’s long-term plans as they continue rebuilding around quarterback Bryce Young.
With the full season to recover and adapt to the pro environment, Jonathon Brooks will aim to return in 2026 as a fully healthy and dynamic offensive weapon—one the Panthers hope can be a cornerstone of their offensive identity for years to come.
