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Former University of Texas running back Jonathon Brooks rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 25 passes for 286 yards and one score in his final collegiate season. Unfortunately, his season came to an end after 10 games after he suffered an ACL tear on November 11, 2023, against TCU.
His major injury didn't stop him from declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, and he was still the first running back selected. The Carolina Panthers picked him as the only ball carrier taken inside the first two rounds of April's draft. However, the 21-year-old has missed each of Carolina's first six games.
Will Brooks be the starting running back for the Panthers when he makes his NFL debut? What is his fantasy football outlook for his rookie season? Let's dive in.
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Will Jonathon Brooks Start For The Panthers When He Returns?
Brooks (knee) is practicing for the first time ahead of the Week 7 game against the Washington Commanders, but despite his return to practice, he might be out for a few more weeks. Joe Person of the Athletic suggested Week 9 could be a "realistic" date for Brooks' NFL debut.
Week 9 A "Realistic Target" For Jonathon Brooks Debut https://t.co/RRX6AUbKDq
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 15, 2024
The Panthers are likely to be careful with the young running back, especially since the team is far from a Super Bowl or even playoff contender. Current starter Chuba Hubbard has been excellent in the RB1 role, rushing 86 times for 485 yards and two touchdowns while catching 22 of his 24 targets for 93 yards and a score.
When Brooks returns, he'll likely see touches, but the team could bring him along slowly and utilize him as a committee back with Hubbard. That said, Brooks could see close to a workhorse role late in the season, assuming he looks fast and explosive coming off the major injury.
Jonathon Brooks Fantasy Football Outlook
If Brooks returns for the Week 9 game against the New Orleans Saints, he should have plenty of time to get integrated into the Carolina offense ahead of the fantasy football playoff push.
Again, he'll likely share touches with Hubbard for the first few weeks of his active career, but given the investment the Panthers made in Brooks, it wouldn't be a surprise if he handles around 20 touches per game over the last third of the 2024 campaign.
Carolina's offense has life under Andy Dalton, but it's still not an elite unit. That hasn't stopped Hubbard from producing, though, so Brooks could be a league-winning IR stash for fantasy football.
JONATHON BROOKS 40 YARD TOUCHDOWN
TEXAS 7-0 pic.twitter.com/A6ovcG8cwx
— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) September 24, 2023
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