Brooks did not participate in Monday’s practice but was seen running on the side and was officially limited on Wednesday. With the season opener just four days away, the Panthers are monitoring his progress carefully. Head coach Frank Canales indicated the team would take it day by day, assessing Brooks against his pre-injury form as practice continues.
On Wednesday, Canales noted that Brooks looked good, though he carries some groin soreness. He participated in the day’s activities, going through individual drills and taking selective reps to avoid overloading him. The plan remains to build toward a full workload if Brooks shows continued improvement over the next couple of days. While this doesn’t guarantee a Week 1 return, the momentum is positive, and the team remains hopeful that Brooks can rejoin the rotation after missing time since 2024.
If Brooks is active, Carolina can deploy a multi-threat backfield alongside Chuba Hubbard and A.J. Dillon. Brooks is valued for his ability to make plays in space, both in the passing game and in screen scenarios, as well as his home-run speed. When he gets in the open field, defenders often underestimate his pace, making him a dynamic complement to the other backs. The coaching staff plans to incorporate him in a manner that leverages his strengths while managing any lingering soreness.
Defensively, the Panthers face questions at edge rusher due to Pat Jones II missing practice again and being listed as week-to-week. Jones did not participate in Wednesday’s session and is not expected to play in Week 1. He was projected to start opposite Jaelen Phillips on the Panthers’ outside, forming a high-ceiling pairing at the edge. With Jones likely unavailable, attention shifts to second-year edge rusher Princely Umanmielen as a potential starter opposite Phillips. Umanmielen had a solid preseason, showing he can complement Phillips with effective pressure off the other edge.
Carolina has also dealt with injury losses on the defensive front. Nic Scourton tore his ACL during training camp and is out for the season, opening opportunities for others to step up. In addition to Phillips and Umanmielen, the Panthers have depth options including Travis Gipson and Thomas Incoom, as they prepare for Week 1.
In roster moves, Carolina added Jeremiah Moon to the practice squad and released Cam Gill, freeing up space for additional edge depth. The team will continue to evaluate its rotation on the edge as they approach the regular-season debut, with hopes that the defense can pressure the quarterback consistently while the offense leverages a healthier backfield.
Overall, Brooks’s progress is the focal point for Panthers fans ahead of Week 1. If he is able to return to full speed and participate regularly over the next two practices, the Panthers may lean on a versatile backfield that also includes Hubbard and Dillon. The decision on Brooks’s availability will hinge on his progress in Thursday and Friday practices, along with how the coaching staff weighs his groin soreness against the urgency of a strong Week 1 performance.
