Jonathon Brooks is headed to injured reserve after suffering a core muscle injury in the Carolina Panthers' win over the Atlanta Falcons. That puts AJ Dillon in a much different position heading into the game against the Cleveland Browns.
Dillon has carried the ball just eight times through Carolina's first two games, gaining 25 yards. He ran five times for 28 yards in the season opener before managing only three carries for minus-3 yards against Atlanta.
Those numbers will have to change with Brooks unavailable.
Carolina Panthers need more from AJ Dillon after Jonathon Brooks injury blow
The Panthers signed Dillon this offseason knowing he might have to contribute in a crowded running back room.
At the time, Carolina had Chuba Hubbard, Brooks, and Trevor Etienne ahead of or alongside him in the rotation. Etienne was already on injured reserve, but the expectation was that Hubbard and Brooks would handle much of the work while Dillon provided veteran depth.
That plan changed quickly. Brooks is expected to miss six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery. As such, Dillon has to be ready for a larger workload.
Hubbard cannot realistically handle every meaningful running back snap for the next month and a half. That's where Dillon becomes important.
Dillon's increased role also comes with some pressure because the Panthers' running back depth is suddenly thin. Etienne is hopeful of returning after the bye week, but Carolina has two testing games to get through before then.
AJ Dillon gets the first shot, but the Carolina Panthers could add more
The Panthers had only Hubbard and Dillon on the active roster after placing Brooks on injured reserve. Carolina has elevated practice-squad running back Anthony Tyus III for its trip to Cleveland, who'll provide depth while also helping out in the return game.
Carolina also worked out veteran Austin Ekeler this week. Despite a reportedly positive day with the franchise, the Panthers did not immediately sign him.
The Panthers clearly understand that losing Brooks creates a depth problem. If Dillon struggles, general manager Dan Morgan may have to look harder for another veteran back.
That's what makes the next few weeks important for Dillon.
And it all starts in Cleveland.
The good news for Carolina is that Hubbard has already established himself as a reliable lead back. The bigger question is whether Dillon can make the rest of the rotation work.
If he can, Brooks' absence becomes easier for the Panthers to manage while they wait for him to return. If he can't, Carolina may have to find another answer.
Either way, Dillon is no longer just insurance in the Panthers' backfield. Over the next several weeks, he'll play a meaningful role in how well the offense handles the loss of Brooks.
And he has to deliver.
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