The Carolina Panthers offense has been one of the NFL's best in the first two weeks of the season thanks to offensive coordinator Brad Idzik and quarterback Bryce Young.
However, the Panthers are in a pickle after running back Jonathon Brooks was placed on injured reserve and will miss at least the next six weeks due to core muscle surgery.
It is a big loss for Idzik and Carolina's offense, but Brooks' absence points to an even more dire situation at running back that could lead to offseason changes.
Carolina Panthers have a running back problem brewing for the future
In the first two games, Carolina's offense has seen a revitalization of its passing game. Young is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes and second in passing yards. What the quarterback's progress hides are the run-game problems the Panthers face.
Running back and team captain Chuba Hubbard hasn't had the lanes to run through this season, as the offensive line has struggled to maintain a rhythm up front. The Oklahoma State product plays a role in that as well, but some of it can be attributed to a heavy emphasis on the passing game, including Young checking out of runs for favorable passing-game matchups.
Hubbard doesn't have the explosiveness of most starting running backs. His current backup, now AJ Dillon, flashed in the preseason. Head coach Dave Canales said that practice squad tailback Anthony Tyus would be the No. 3 running back and a potential kickoff return specialist.
Also, second-year running back Trevor Etienne is on injured reserve until at least after the bye week.
This doesn't feel like a running back room to fawn over right now. That is why the loss of Brooks hurts so much more for fans and the team.
Carolina Panthers could prioritize the running back spot in 2027
Brooks has had to deal with numerous setbacks, infamously coming back from back-to-back torn ACLs. Now, a core muscle injury puts his total at just five games since 2024.
For any football fan who loves talented players like Brooks, this is heartbreaking. The best hope is that the former Texas Longhorns star finds his groove and makes a substantial impact during a tough stretch of the regular season.
Yet, availability is the best ability, and Brooks has not been able to provide that for the Panthers.
For the football side, it is tough to go into 2027 with Hubbard and Brooks as your top two running backs.
Brooks' second-round selection in 2024 continues to look like yet another miss for general manager Dan Morgan's first rookie class, though the circumstances are unfortunate.
Over time, especially when Taylor Moton and Ikem Ekwonu return at some point this season from their respective issues, the run game should become more efficient, and Hubbard will begin to produce for Carolina's offense. This will let Idzik deploy a more balanced, creative offense.
The offense cannot and shouldn't be one-dimensional, especially against quality opponents.
Regardless, running back has to be a priority for next year's offseason or the 2027 NFL Draft.
While I won't go into specifics on how that approach should be taken (it's Week 3 of the NFL season), it is clear Carolina will have to invest in the position, regardless of whether the Panthers find more success from Hubbard and a healthy Brooks when he returns.
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