Jonathon Brooks hasn't played in a game since 2024, and the Carolina Panthers running back won't suit up Thursday when his team kicks off the NFL preseason against the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game (8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock).
That shouldn't concern fantasy football managers too much, though, as the former Texas star appears to be on track to play in Week 1 and possibly even during the preseason as he works through the first healthy training camp of his NFL career.
Below, I break down Brooks' latest injury news, expected timeline, and fantasy football outlook for your NFL picks.
Will Jonathon Brooks play in the Hall of Fame Game?
Despite a healthy start to the offseason, Brooks will not play in the NFL Hall of Fame Game as he recovers from his second torn ACL that he suffered in December 2024.
That isn't necessarily a signal about his health, though, as the Panthers are also resting quarterback Bryce Young and the rest of their established offensive starters.
Head coach Dave Canales confirmed earlier this week that he won't rely on any starters for Thursday's exhibition opener, but that could change against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 15.
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When will Jonathon Brooks return from injury?
Brooks hasn't seen the field in an official capacity since he tore his ACL for the second time in his career on Dec. 8, 2024 — an injury that sidelined him for the end of the 2024 season and the entire 2025 campaign.
He was cleared by his surgeon in April before the Panthers' offseason program, and he worked through OTAs and minicamp without issue before handling full-speed contact during training camp.
Canales told reporters in late July that Brooks "looks like the guy that I remember" amid the first healthy training camp of his NFL career.
Brooks has said he feels close to 100 percent, though the Panthers are clearly taking a cautious approach with their former second-round pick after two major knee injuries in a three-year span. Barring a setback over the next few weeks, it'd be surprising if he doesn't see the field for Carolina in Week 1.
Jonathon Brooks injury history
While most players return from an ACL tear roughly 12 months later on average, Brooks will be approximately 21 months removed from his latest injury by Week 1.
Part of that is the calendar: the Panthers didn't need to rush Brooks back for a handful of games last year when they could afford to give him another offseason to recover.
But his injury history complicates his recovery timeline, too, as this was his second ACL tear in that same knee that ended his collegiate career at Texas and saw him drop to the second round.
Here's a look at Brooks' injury history in college and the NFL:
| Date | Team | Injury | Games missed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 11, 2023 | Texas (college) | Tore right ACL | 14 |
| Dec. 8, 2024 | Panthers (NFL) | Tore right ACL | 22 |
Jonathon Brooks fantasy football outlook
Brooks should play a key role in Carolina's backfield this year, assuming he stays healthy, but he could have an even bigger impact for fantasy football teams this fall.
The third-year back is a popular pick in redraft leagues this year and a compelling asset in keeper and dynasty leagues, as the former Texas star teased immense upside coming out of college but has yet to truly show that on an NFL field given his season-ending injuries.
That makes Brooks an intriguing but ultimately high-risk pick ahead of this season.
Who is the Panthers' starting running back?
If the season started today, Chuba Hubbard would start over Jonathon Brooks after the veteran back split carries with breakout star Rico Dowdle last season.
Dowdle turned that electric season into a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency, opening the door for Brooks or another back to work their way into a prominent workload.
Here's a look at the Panthers' current depth chart with career stats for each player:
| Player | Profile | Exp (yrs) | Career stats (rushing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chuba Hubbard | 6-1 | 210 lbs | 5 years | 889 carries | 3,686 yards | 23 TDs |
| Jonathon Brooks | 6-0 | 207 lbs | 2 years | 9 carries | 22 yards | 0 TDs |
| Trevor Etienne | 5-8 | 198 lbs | 1 year | 20 carries | 94 yards | 0 TDs |
| AJ Dillon | 6-0 | 247 lbs | 5 years | 609 carries | 2,488 yards | 16 TDs |
Hubbard seems like the obvious choice to lead the backfield after a strong 2024 campaign followed by a modest but workable 2025 effort, though Brooks brings an explosiveness to the room that Dowdle injected last season.
Even if Brooks gets off to a sizzling start, though, his injury history would suggest a split workload no matter what.
Where should you draft Jonathon Brooks?
Brooks' average draft position (ADP) depends on what type of league you are drafting in and what the league settings are, but he's roughly the 100th player off the board in PPR and half-PPR leagues and a top-125 draft pick in standard leagues.
He's being drafted as the RB35 to RB40 on average — making him a top-five pick among non-starters. That feels appropriate for a player who hasn't seen the field in almost two years and is currently slated behind Hubbard on the depth chart.
If you're shooting for upside, though, Brooks offers a higher ceiling than many of the 35-40 running backs taken ahead of him. He's the type of pick that could legitimately help win your fantasy league if he comes back healthy and catches fire late in the year... or he could be on the waiver wire by Week 2.
If you're like me and swing for the fences with your late-round picks, I would draft Brooks anywhere between the 90th and 110th picks, which would be Round 8 to Round 10 in a 12-team league. He's best served as your third or fourth running back and shouldn't be drafted ahead of your key starters, but he's one of the only players available outside the top 90 picks who could emerge as a legitimate RB1 down the stretch.
