Carolina Panthers fans let out a collective sigh of concern after running back Jonathon Brooks sat out the last two practices of the week with what head coach Dave Canales described as soreness. But it's starting to look like it was nothing too serious.
Canales remained bullish about Brooks' availability for Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. The Panthers are taking every possible precaution with the player, especially given that he's missed the best part of two years due to successive torn ACLs in the same knee. And they are right to do so.
Even so, according to Brooks' fiancée on social media, the soreness being experienced has nothing to do with his surgically repaired knee.
Jonathon Brooks isn't experiencing knee soreness, which is music to Carolina Panthers fans' ears
That is the biggest relief of all.
The Panthers will rely heavily on Brooks as the campaign goes on. The former Texas star will be brought along gradually initially, splitting carries with veteran Chuba Hubbard and free-agent signing AJ Dillon. But if everything goes as expected, he could have the RB1 role by midseason.
BREAKING: Jonathon Brooks’ fiancée confirms he does NOT have knee soreness.#Orfbomb pic.twitter.com/puEvvUn4Ja
— Neil Orfield (@playerqDFS) September 3, 2026
After all, that is why the Panthers traded up to acquire Brooks at No. 46 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
This should be enough to alleviate any remaining concerns. Players and coaches are getting a few days off over Labor Day weekend to rest before refocusing on the task at hand. Hopefully, when Brooks gets back into the building, he'll be feeling good.
But this is a sign of his precarious situation.
Brooks has been out of action for a long time. Getting through the summer unscathed was a big step in the right direction, but it's clear that the physical punishment of contact for the first time in years is taking time to get used to.
And at this stage, that is absolutely fine.
Managing Brooks' reps — whether that's before the season or during the early stages of the campaign — is imperative. This is all about gradually restoring confidence, building back strength, and ramping up his workload. It won't always be straightforward, but staying the course is crucial.
Brooks has worked exceptionally hard to reach this point. It's taken significant physical and mental toil to fight back in the face of adversity. The Panthers have been there to support him every step of the way, and that is not going to change.
So long as Brooks stays relatively injury-free from here on, that's the only thing that counts right now.
Obviously, fans were worried. They had good reason, given Brooks' injury history and how much he could alter Carolina's offensive dynamic this season with offensive coordinator Brad Idzik now calling plays.
But those worries should have subsided now. Though we won't know for sure until the first injury reports of the regular season begin next week.
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