Overview
- Jonathon Brooks had surgery Wednesday to repair a core muscle injury and was placed on injured reserve, with multiple outlets reporting he will miss at least six weeks.
- With Brooks sidelined, Chuba Hubbard and AJ Dillon are the only healthy running backs on Carolina’s 53-man roster while Trevor Etienne remains on injured reserve.
- The Panthers brought in veteran free agent Austin Ekeler for a workout Wednesday; league reporters say Ekeler has been medically cleared after last season’s Achilles tear but he has not been signed.
- Brooks is a 2024 second-round pick who has missed extensive time for repeated major injuries, a history that complicates Carolina’s personnel planning and the timeline for his return.
- Carolina’s front office must finalize a quick depth solution before Sunday’s game in Cleveland, with likely options including signing Ekeler, signing another veteran, or promoting from the practice squad.