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The Carolina Panthers have high hopes for running back Jonathon Brooks after selecting him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was the first running back off the board and the only backfield player chosen in that round.
The Panthers wish Brooks could replicate his final season with the Texas Longhorns, in which he finished with 187 carries for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, he could have had more without his season-ending ACL injury.
Will this injury affect his availability during his rookie season with the Panthers? Can he still be a reliable fantasy football option in 2024?
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Is Jonathon Brooks Ready to Play in 2024 Week 1?
While he had surgery on his injured knee last November, the Panthers are not rushing Brooks' return because of his bright future. However, Panthers head coach Dave Canales revealed in a recent press conference during training camp that Brooks will likely return in Week 3 or 4 this season. That time could coincide with their road game against the Las Vegas Raiders or their home game versus the Cincinnati Bengals.
Therefore, the Panthers might not place him on injured reserve because doing so would require Brooks to sit out their first four games in 2024. Even if Carolina expects his early return, Brooks won't see action during the preseason.
Dave Canales expects Jonathan Brooks to be ready to play around week three or four. pic.twitter.com/JZPDLZcaTE
— Michael Rimmer (@avl_mike) August 3, 2024
Positive signs have been present regarding the former Longhorn's path to full recovery. Even if he didn't participate in the 2024 Scouting Combine, he was already undergoing running drills three months after surgery.
Jonathon Brooks Fantasy Outlook
Brooks has the talent to surpass Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders in the Panthers' depth chart. But until he returns, those two running backs will get most of the snaps. If everything falls into place, Brooks will be their starter a week or two after his first game.
Since he could miss up to four games to start his rookie season, RotoBaller projects Jonathon Brooks to finish with 670 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Those numbers put him at 36th in the running back rankings for fantasy football. Meanwhile, his 84.5 ADP makes him more of an RB2/flex option. However, he could be an intriguing option in dynasty leagues if he remains injury-free throughout the season.
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