Is Jonathon Brooks The Starting Running Back For The Panthers When He Returns?

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is inching closer and closer to his return (we swear he is, barring something extreme). As many know, he tore his ACL in November last year after a great season with the Texas Longhorns and was drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft by the blue and silver and black cat team.

He's still not been activated off injured reserve, though his practice window was opened before last week's game and he's been practicing since. He's logged multiple limited practices. At least fantasy managers will know by the time next week's games roll around the eventual outcome of this. If he's not activated before Week 10, he won't be able to play this season.

So when (and if) he does return, will he be the starter for the Panthers?

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Will Jonathon Brooks Start For The Panthers When He Returns?

At some point he might, but it won't be right away. Most teams ramp their players' activity up when they first return from a major injury such as an ACL tear. Brooks' first week of action will likely feature him on a snap count with a hard cap on his total touches. He'll work his way up in subsequent weeks.

#Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard touches on what he’s seen out of rookie Jonathon Brooks (@2brookss) as he continues to work his way back from injury.

“He’s stayed in it. Learning the playbook, asking the questions & working hard. Once he hits the field, the sky is the limit.”

Full… pic.twitter.com/8Mi1wLFlQN

— Gabe McDonald (@GabeMcDonald_) October 3, 2024

It's almost over, it really is. There's not much further to go. We will know soon what will happen.

Jonathon Brooks Fantasy Football Outlook

He has league-winning potential if he gets the chance, especially in PPR. The Panthers offensive line is an excellent run-blocking unit, and current lead back Chuba Hubbard has been given chasmically wide holes to run through even against solid defenses. Carolina invested heavily in their interior offensive line in the offseason and it's paying off.

may I interest you in “special athlete” Jonathon Brooks and pony packages with Chuba Hubbard? pic.twitter.com/n1KhTj46t6

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) October 24, 2024

It's an odd situation, though. Head Coach Dave Canales has been surprisingly non-committal about his return. It's not decisively known how much of a "nothing-speaker" Canales is, but fantasy managers would certainly like to hear more positive news from the man in charge.

#Panthers HC Dave Canales on whether it’s possible that Jonathon Brooks doesn’t play this year:

“It could be.” pic.twitter.com/fabA2qR0Wr

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) October 26, 2024

Regardless, if you've rostered him this long, there's no point in dropping him. There's no news definitively saying he won't play this season, so he should be rostered in all leagues until that news drops, if it ever does.

After he's ramped up, he has an intriguingly easy playoff schedule, and if he gets meaningful reps, he could be worth starting as an RB3/FLEX with RB2 or even RB1 upside depending on the touch share between he and the other backs.

Current fantasy football playoff schedule for the Carolina Panthers and where their opponents currently rank in fantasy points allowed to running backs:

Week 15- Dallas (Most points allowed)
Week 16- Arizona (10th most)
Week 17- Tampa Bay (3rd most)

Trade for Jonathon Brooks. pic.twitter.com/EDNaAPTJEz

— Joey Wright (@thejoeywright) September 26, 2024

Hang tight for now.

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