When can Jonathan Brooks return? Latest on Panthers RB's injury

The Carolina Panthers selected Jonathan Brooks as the 46th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft. The rookie running back hasn't made his NFL debut yet, though, because he hasn't fully recovered from the ACL tear he sustained last November while still playing collegiate football for Texas.

Brooks missed the first seven weeks of the season after starting the season on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list. However, his three-week practice window opened last week when Carolina Panthers' head coach Dave Canales stated that the team has officially designated him to resume practicing.

After making two limited practice appearances on Wednesday and Thursday, Jonathan Brooks has thrown himself into contention to make his NFL debut in Week 8. He is getting back into football form, and his ability to string up consecutive limited practice times this week is encouraging.

However, the explosive RB might need to upgrade his practice participation volume on Friday before the team will give him the all-clear to play against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

The Panthers are required to activate Brooks from the reserve/non-football injury list prior to the game in order for him to be eligible in Week 8.

Exploring Jonathan Brooks' stats from college

A look at Jonathan Brooks' collegiate stats suggests that he may be a standout in the Carolina Panthers' backfield whenever he returns to the field, even though it's always difficult to predict how a player who hasn't played in the NFL will perform.

Despite only playing 10 games, he finished seventh in the Big 12 with 1,139 running yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season in Texas. Additionally, he had 25 receptions for 286 yards and a touchdown prior to tearing his ACL during Texas' game against TCU in November.

The Carolina Panthers have once again been awful this season with a 1-6 record after seven games. But perhaps the team's only shining light in offense has been running back Chuba Hubbard.

Hubbard has registered 103 rushes for 537 yards and three touchdowns in seven games this season. He has been the Panthers' star backfield player, but Jonathan Brooks may start relieving him of some of the load once he recovers from his injury.