JonathonBrooks

News: 5 days agoBrooks carried the ball three times for five yards and caught his only target for nine yards in Saturday's 29-14 preseason loss to the Bills.

Spin: After sitting out Carolina's preseason opener last week in the Hall of Fame Game, Brooks got the start Saturday while Chuba Hubbard deals with a hamstring issue. Brooks didn't make much of an impact while playing the first three possessions, but the entire first-team offense struggled to move the ball. The first running back off the board in the 2024 draft has appeared in only three NFL games so far as injuries have ruined the start of his career, but the Panthers are confident he can still contribute. Rico Dowdle averaged 16.2 touches a game last season as Hubbard's main backfield partner, but that might be a lofty goal for Brooks' volume, assuming he's able to stay on the field in 2026.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Brooks is hoping to get his career on track in 2026 after appearing in only one game since being drafted in the second round of the 2024 draft. Brooks spent most of his rookie season recovering from a torn ACL suffered while at the University of Texas. He returned in Week 12 and handled 12 touches in three games prior to retearing the same ACL and missing the entire 2025 season. Only 23 years old and skilled as a rusher and receiver, Brooks figures to eventually get his shot at a lead-back role in the pros. He's expected to battle for touches behind starter Chuba Hubbard this season, so it's possible he earns his way into a fantasy-relevant role at some point. Consider him a lottery ticket in the late rounds.