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Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) hasn't seen any NFL action yet after tearing his ACL in November 2023, his final season of college. Despite his injury, Carolina showed faith in his abilities and drafted him in the second round of the NFL Draft.
He'll join a struggling 1-5 team that's at the bottom of its division and could use his talents to boost the offense. The Panthers have scored just 103 points through five games while allowing 203. Though they've improved on offense by starting veteran QB Andy Dalton for the past few games, they need all the help they can get.
So when will Jonathon Brooks finally return to football and play for the Carolina Panthers?
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Jonathon Brooks Injury Update for Fantasy Football
A glimmer of hope has appeared on the horizon for fantasy managers who drafted Brooks hoping he would return after just four weeks, the mandatory period he had to miss after his PUP designation. Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced that the team plans to open his 21-day practice window this week.
Per Dave Canales:
- Jonathon Brooks 21-day window could open today (!)
- ST-ace Sam Franklin cleared to practice
- Wonnum: still coming along
- Clowney: day-to-day w/ shoulderHelp on the way on both sides of the ball for the #Panthers.
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) October 14, 2024
While it hasn't officially been opened yet, the announcement means fantasy managers can expect him to return to the field soon. He will need to be elevated to the active roster before Week 10 at the latest, so his debut will come sometime between Weeks 8-10, barring an unexpected setback.
It's a breath of fresh air for those who used a bench or IR spot in their fantasy lineups for the former Texas Longhorn. He was the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft and has garnered a considerable amount of hype for his skill set and every-down potential.
Jonathon Brooks Fantasy Football Outlook
He was widely regarded as the only RB in the 2024 draft class with legitimate every-down potential. He's good as a pure runner, a pass-catcher, and a willing and able blocker. He'll join a backfield that has been headed very successfully by fourth-year pro Chuba Hubbard.
Here's 3 minutes of Jonathon Brooks being an absolute beast for your timeline today pic.twitter.com/bue2kdMP1p
— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) July 25, 2023
Brooks' highlight tapes are extensive and impressive, and you can see many of the abilities the Panthers coveted when they selected him. While the presence of Hubbard may be concerning to some, the rookie's pass-catching upside and much higher draft capital work in his favor. The veteran was drafted with a fourth-round pick.
Explosive ability. Size-speed combo. Rare body control. Fluid catcher out of backfield, HR ability.
Panthers’ Dave Canales on what he liked about 2nd-round RB Jonathon Brooks while finally delivering some good injury news.
Happy Tuesday. https://t.co/R3H0raLOsE— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 15, 2024
Expect a ramp-up in activity over the first few games he plays. He'll be a risky start for at least his first game played, but perhaps the extra time they gave him to recover before opening his practice window will put his increase in game work on a shorter timeline.
Despite the long wait, Brooks still has league-winning potential, especially in PPR formats, due to his ability to be an every-down back and catch passes. However, the presence of Hubbard may cap his season-long upside.
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