Canales addressed the media on Wednesday, stating that he remains very optimistic about the running back's chances of suiting up for the season opener. While the coach confirmed that Brooks has been dealing with soreness, he declined to specify the exact nature or location of the discomfort currently keeping the player off the field.
Managing injury recovery and backfield depth
Brooks, selected 46th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, has navigated a challenging path to his professional debut. The running back is working his way back from consecutive surgeries on his right ACL, an injury he first sustained during his final collegiate season with the Texas Longhorns in 2023. He subsequently experienced a retear of the same ligament in December 2024 during his rookie campaign against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Despite that history, Brooks successfully navigated training camp and appeared in two preseason games this summer. During those 17 snaps, he recorded 23 rushing yards on eight carries and added one reception for nine yards. His progress is being closely monitored by the coaching staff, as he is expected to play a significant role in the team's backfield rotation alongside veteran
Rotation adjustments and roster outlook
The Panthers' running back room has faced several health hurdles throughout the preseason. Hubbard, who is slated to serve as the primary option, spent much of the summer managing a hamstring injury after his 2025 season was previously impacted by a calf issue. Encouragingly, Hubbard returned to practice on Tuesday and continued his work on Wednesday.
The team is looking for the Hubbard-Brooks tandem to provide a dynamic presence in the offense, with the coaching staff hoping to utilize Brooks' receiving ability to complement the ground game. The Panthers currently carry three active running backs, including AJ Dillon. Meanwhile, second-year back Trevor Etienne has been placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. General Manager Dan Morgan has indicated that the team expects Etienne, who served as the primary return specialist last year, to return to the active roster later in the season.
