Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks gives big update on his 2026 status

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks provided a pretty big update on his status for the 2026 season.

The 22-year-old rusher spoke with reporters on Tuesday, and stated that he's been cleared by his surgeon to fully participate in the team's ongoing offseason workout program. And while he did say he'll follow the plan Carolina's training staff has for him, Brooks—who's coming back from a second ACL tear—is feeling good through his recovery.

"Feels good getting back to the football movements. Obviously, it's something I have to work on," Brooks said. "But yeah, I feel close to 100 percent. I'm getting there. Still just going with the plan that they have for me."

Brooks, despite tearing the ACL in his right knee while in college, was selected as the first running back of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Panthers. The second-round pick would make his pro debut in Week 12 that season, but sustained the same injury to the same knee just three games in.

The Panthers held Brooks out for the entire 2025 campaign, placing him on the physically unable to perform list that spring.

Fellow running back Chuba Hubbard, who also chatted with local media today, talked about Brooks' progress.

"I think he's in a really good spot—a great spot, if that," Hubbard stated. "I think throughout this process, there's gonna be highs and lows. But throughout this whole offseason, I think he just progressed in the right direction—like a substantial amount.

"So just to see him build his confidence, kinda get back to himself on the field and getting closer to who he knows he can be, and even surpass that, it's been cool to just be a part of."

Along with Hubbard and Brooks, Carolina's running back room currently includes 2025 fourth-round pick , free-agent signee , . and Anthony Tyus III.