UNC running back British Brooks out for season; Tar Heels lose another starter to injury
North Carolina lost its second offensive starter within the past week on Saturday when fifth-year running back British Brooks suffered a lower-body injury during practice. The injury will sideline him for the entire season, according to the school.
It’s a devastating blow for Brooks, who entered school as a walk-on, earned a scholarship and became a key player on special teams while waiting for his opportunity to play at running back. He was poised for a breakout season after he led the Tar Heels in rushing in Carolina’s final three games last season — including a career-high 124 yards against N.C. State — earning a starting spot.
Carolina will also be without receiver Antoine Green for six to 10 weeks. Green suffered a shoulder injury in a scrimmage on Aug. 6. Green and Josh Downs are the only wideouts with big-game experience for the Tar Heels at a position that isn’t very deep.
UNC is deep at running back, but Brooks’ absence almost guarantees that at least one of its freshmen will be in the rotation. UNC coach Mack Brown had just praised George Pettaway and Omarion Hampton on Monday for having a good scrimmage.
Brown has said he’d like to use three running backs this season after primarily using just two to share the workload the past three seasons.
Junior D.J. Jones is now the Heels’ top returning rusher from last season. Jones had 253 yards and averaged 4.2 yards per carry in nine games. Jones has battled injuries his entire time on campus, but said this was the healthiest he has been since arriving in Chapel Hill.
Sophomores Elijah Green and Caleb Hood are also vying for playing time. Hood appeared in seven games last season and rushed for 97 yards and a score. Green appeared in five games and had 39 yards on 11 carries.
This story was originally published August 13, 2022 at 10:17 PM.