Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks gives major update on ACL recovery entering OTAs
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is ready to go.
The third-year playmaker — who missed all of last season while recovering from his second ACL surgery in a little over a year — said Tuesday that he is fully cleared to participate in the team’s ongoing offseason program, which runs through mandatory minicamp in mid-June.
“I’ve been cleared by my surgeon,” Brooks said Tuesday. “(Panthers vice president of health and performance) Denny (Kellington) and the training staff and the coaches have a plan for me. And, you know, just going off what they tell me to do. And just taking it how it is, you know. Just getting better every day still — and yeah, I’m cleared to go.”
Brooks, 22, has played in just three games during his first two seasons in the NFL. He posted 45 yards on 12 total touches in that limited action. In the third game of his career, the 2024 second-round pick re-tore the ACL in his right knee, further hampering an injury history that dated back to his final year at the University of Texas.
But now, Brooks has a clean slate as he approaches his third offseason in Charlotte. He’s hoping to show a lot more than the brief glimpses he gave in 2024.
“To be quite honest, I don’t think any rep I had my rookie year was good,” Brooks said. “There’s a lot that I want to work on, and that was kind of the frustrating part of it, too. For the limited touches that I had, I knew what I had to do better. And, you know, the fact that I got hurt again, that’s what I feel like at first angered me so much, cause I knew I had so much to show and to fix and to kind of — I don’t have to prove to anyone — just prove to myself because I know my worth, I know what I can do. I not really worried about what others think.”
How Chuba Hubbard has guided Jonathon Brooks
Brooks’ level-headed approach to his recovery has been aided by “big brother” teammate and fellow running back Chuba Hubbard.
During Brooks’ almost-yearlong rehabilitation in 2024, Hubbard — the team’s top back for most of Brooks’ tenure — took the then-rookie ball-carrier under his wing. Hubbard’s mentoring of Brooks has been part of a pact that Hubbard made with himself when his younger teammate was drafted.
“Ever since JB came in, a big thing I told myself was, ‘I want to be, not just a great teammate, but a great friend to him,’” Hubbard said. “I see all the potential in him. He’s a 1-in-1 player. Also, just a 1-in-1 person. And also, I just saw what he had in him, and the potential. For me, as a leader, as a competitor — obviously, I’m chasing greatness myself — but I want to see the people around me be great as well.”
“So, I told JB, like, ‘Just stick with me, we’ll work together, and you’re going to be well-off,’” Hubbard added. “And he’s worked hard this offseason, and even this past season. So, I’ve said it before, the skies the limit and I’m excited for him. He’s gonna keep working and there are gonna be a lot of ups and downs — that’s life — but he’s trending in the right direction, so I’m happy for him.”
Brooks said Tuesday that he and Hubbard work together regularly away. Whether they’re at Bank of America Stadium or not, Brooks and Hubbard are frequently hanging out and making each other better.
Hubbard — along with tight end Tommy Tremble — attended Brooks’ baptism on Sunday.
“He’s pushed me to be my best every day this offseason,” Brooks said about Hubbard. “We hang out all the time ... And he also is really big in his faith, so we push each other as far as that — we push each other in our faith and as we work out this offseason. So, that mean a lot that he was there.”
The Three Fs: faith, family and football
Brooks lost his father at 18. He tore the ACL in his right knee twice before he turned 21.
While he is still living his NFL dream, he doesn’t take anything for granted. He has perspective, and he is leaning on his faith, family and friends to make it back to the field.
“It was definitely rough,” Brooks said about the first two years of his NFL career. “But like I said, I just rooted back to my faith, my family — cause I know God has a plan for me.”
Brooks has yet to take a hit or really get into the grind of his position from a physical standpoint. He’s running fast and showing off his quickness as an athlete in early workouts, but the true test will come this summer in training camp.
All he can control right now is his attitude. And it appears he’s doing quite well in that department.
“I think I feel good,” Brooks said. “Like I said, the training staff had me on a great plan to where I could get to where I am now — feeling 100%. And, you know, it feels good getting back to the football movements. Obviously, it’s something that I have to work on, but yeah, I feel close to 100%. I’m getting there — still going with the plan they have for me.”
Quick hits
- Right tackle Taylor Moton said Tuesday that his first impression of free-agent addition, Rasheed Walker, has been positive. He was aware of Walker, but he had never met him prior to the offseason program.
- Moton reflected on his rookie year in 2017 after he was asked about his approach to mentorship. He remembered studying Darryl Williams, the then-starting right tackle, during his first year in the league. He wanted to handle his business and see the way Williams worked throughout the week. Moton is now entering his 10th season in the NFL and with Carolina. The veteran lineman said he will advise the younger linemen when they need it.
- Hubbard said the offense is “blessed” to have an offensive staff that takes the players’ input on play-calling. He said that “whatever they call, I’m going to make the most of it” in reference to offensive coordinator Brad Idzik taking over play-calling from head coach Dave Canales in 2026.
This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 3:54 PM with the headline "Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks gives major update on ACL recovery entering OTAs."
