There's some reason for rookie anticipation this week in Charlotte.
The Carolina Panthers opened the practice window for second-round running back Jonathon Brooks on Wednesday and he was a limited practice participant.
The near consensus top running back talent in the 2024 NFL Draft, Brooks was the first RB off the board after the Panthers traded up to pick him at No. 46 overall in the second round even though he ended his college career at Texas with a torn ACL.
Brooks injured his knee in November 2023 during a Texas win over TCU. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported ahead of the draft that it was a clean ACL tear and there was optimism Brooks could be ready by the beginning of July. Instead, the dynamic back has made Panthers fans wait quite a bit longer, having yet to practice with the team.
A 6-foot-1, 216-pounder with straight-line speed and quickness to match when it comes to hitting the hole, Brooks now has 21 days to be activated to the Panthers' roster.
As head coach Dave Canales and the Panthers sit in last place in the NFC South at 1-5, Brooks getting closer to his debut will at the very least infuse some excitement into the season.
Then again, current Panthers starting running back Chris Hubbard has hardly been a slouch. He's rushed for 485 yards in six games, which is third in the NFL entering Week 7.
Perhaps the Panthers can put together a one-two combo in the backfield that will portend to better offensive fortune for the struggling squad if Brooks hits his rookie season running.
