The Carolina Panthers had a rough 2023 NFL season as they finished with the worst record in the league and then didn’t even have a first-round pick to show for it after their trade with the Chicago Bears last year.
However, Carolina should have some optimism that it can bounce back after hiring Dave Canales as their new head coach and revamping the roster to set up second-year quarterback Bryce Young for success.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft struggled with a poor offensive line and a lack of receiving options in his rookie year, but he has much more help this time around and might finally be able to show what he can do on the field.
To give him even more support, Carolina selected running back Jonathan Brooks with the No. 46 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The University of Texas product was widely considered the best running back prospect in a weaker class and might have been drafted earlier than he was if not for the fact he was still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in college.
Though Brooks hasn’t had any reported setbacks in his rehab, Canales revealed that he’ll miss the beginning of the 2024 NFL season.
“Canales said he’s looking for Brooks to be close to ready Week 3 or 4,” David Newton of ESPN reported.
Canales said he’s looking for Brooks to be close to ready Week 3 or 4. https://t.co/prEzFYzV4Z
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) August 3, 2024
There’s no reason to rush Brooks back after a serious knee injury, so it’s good to hear that Canales and his staff are willing to give him the time to fully recover.
When Brooks does make his NFL debut, he may be on a snap count, though it might not be long before he takes the majority of the Panthers’ backfield touches.
NEXT:
Former Player Doesn’t Hold Back His Thoughts About Cam Newton