Overview
- Brooks practiced as a full-go at Panthers organized team activities on Tuesday, producing non-contact highlights reported by multiple outlets that included a 30-yard handoff score and a notable screen run.
- Those reps drew public praise from coach Dave Canales, offensive coordinator Brad Idzik and teammates who said he showed speed and decisiveness during the session.
- Brooks missed the 2025 season after suffering consecutive ACL tears—one in college in 2023 and a second in the NFL in December 2024—and this OTAs participation is the first full-go of his pro career.
- Carolina’s decision to let leading rusher Rico Dowdle leave in free agency has opened a clearer path to the RB2 role behind Chuba Hubbard, but Brooks will still face competition from Trevor Etienne, AJ Dillon and others.
- Despite encouraging early signs, Brooks has just three pro games on record (22 rushing yards on nine carries and three catches for 24 yards) and non-contact OTA work is not definitive proof of regular-season durability or availability.