Overview
- The Panthers moved Jonathon Brooks to injured reserve on Wednesday, Sept. 23, after scheduling core‑muscle surgery and projecting a roughly six‑to‑eight‑week recovery window.
- With Brooks sidelined and Trevor Etienne already on IR, Chuba Hubbard and A.J. Dillon are the only healthy running backs on Carolina’s 53‑man roster.
- The team hosted veteran Austin Ekeler for a workout the same day after reports said he was medically cleared from last season’s Achilles tear, but he was not expected to sign immediately.
- Carolina promoted safety Isaiah Simmons from the practice squad to fill Brooks’ roster spot and is weighing short‑term fixes such as elevating practice‑squad backs or signing a veteran to bridge upcoming games.
- Brooks was a 2024 second‑round pick whose career has been limited by multiple serious knee injuries, a history that raises durability questions as the Panthers evaluate whether to pursue a veteran complement or rely on internal depth.