After tearing his right ACL to end his college career at Texas, Brooks missed most of his freshman season. He came back in week 12; however, in just the third game back, he suffered another ACL tear in the same knee. The Panthers ruled out the RB for the 2025 season last May.
Brooks has nine career NFL catches entering Year 3. Since his senior year of high school football in 2020, Brooks has had 30 or more catches in a season once – 187 in 2023. In 2021 at Texas, he had 21 tackles. In 2022, 30. In 2023, 187. In 2024, 9. In 2025, 0.
The Panthers believe in the talent the 23-year-old displayed this magical season in 2023. It’s not just glowing words either; the setup of the RB room indicates they believe Brooks will play an important role. After losing Rico Dowdle in free agency, the Panthers didn’t add another big piece to the backfield, didn’t draft a RB and signed veteran AJ Dillon (who has his own injury history).
Carolina opens camp with Chuba Hubbard as the starter and Brooks in line to be the primary backup. If he stays healthy and lives up to his pre-draft billing, Brooks could push for a carry trade this season.