Jonathon Brooks gave the Carolina Panthers exactly the kind of moment that can make a preseason game feel bigger than the scoreboard.
In a dominant win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Brooks found the end zone on a 1-yard rushing touchdown, and with it came his first score since November 11th, 2023, when he was still at Texas. He also brought back his signature celebration for the first time in almost three years, pointing to the tattoo on his right forearm that honors his father and then forming a heart with his hands.
That snap of joy lands with real weight because Brooks has already been through a brutal NFL path. Drafted in 2024 with the 46th pick overall, he had torn his ACL with the Longhorns in 2023, then suffered another ACL tear in 2024 during his rookie season against the Eagles. For a player trying to build a career, that’s a lot to absorb before it ever really gets going.
CBS Sports analysts Zachary Pereles and Garrett Podell put Brooks on their list of preseason Week 2 winners and losers on Sunday, and it’s easy to see why. His return to the field is a step forward on its own, and the touchdown only added to the sense that he’s moving back toward becoming a real part of Carolina’s offense.
That matters for a Panthers team still sorting out its backfield after Rico Dowdle left for Pittsburgh. Chuba Hubbard is expected to handle the lead role in 2026 after excelling as the bell cow in 2024, but Brooks is now pushing to be part of the plan.
The Panthers need that kind of help. Brooks is being counted on to take some pressure off Bryce Young and the passing game, and while preseason is only preseason, his presence alone is a meaningful sign after everything he’s been through.
There’s even a clear NFL example of how a career can keep rolling after two ACL tears. Frank Gore tore his ACL twice at Miami and went on to become one of the longest-running productive running back careers in league history, staying effective until he was 37.
For now, Brooks’ next opportunity could come quickly. With Hubbard still recovering from a hamstring injury, there’s a good chance Brooks sees a sizable workload in Week 1, along with backs like AJ Dillon.
In Other News...
Panthers Roster Progress Suddenly Looks Far More Debatable
The Panthers have spent the last two seasons trying to move past the disappointment of 2023, and on paper there is at least a case that the turnaround is real. Dan Morgan and Dave Canales helped steer Carolina to an NFC South title in 2025, a step forward that looked like evidence the roster was finally becoming more stable after a rough stretch.
But ESPNs 2026 positional rankings paint a far less flattering picture, with Carolina sitting near the bottom overall and drawing especially weak marks at running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive line and edge rusher. Injuries have played a part, and the teams recent high-profile signings and draft picks have not yet lifted those areas the way the Panthers likely hoped, leaving the roster progress suddenly a lot more debatable than the division title might suggest. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers May Have More Than Stability At Kicker This Season
Ryan Fitzgerald will open the season as the Panthers Week 1 kicker, and for once theres no late-summer battle hanging over the job. After a rookie year that gave Carolina reason to believe it had found some stability at the position, Fitzgerald has carried that momentum into training camp with a strong showing in practice, nailing kicks from a range of distances and looking like a player the staff can trust.
What has stood out to Dave Canales and special teams coordinator Tracy Smith is not just the accuracy, but the way Fitzgerald has handled the offseason push to get stronger and more explosive. Carolina asked him to make those improvements, and he has followed through while also showing the kind of mental growth that can matter just as much for a kicker. It leaves the Panthers with more than a settled job for September, and maybe a little upside too. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Fans Will Have Strong Feelings About Detroits New Look
The Lions rolled out their new Rivalries uniforms this week, and the look turned heads for more than one reason. Built around a white base with Honolulu blue and black stripes, the design will make its on-field debut in Week 8 against the Vikings, part of the NFLs push to introduce new rivalry uniforms in early November.
What followed on social media was almost immediate, with plenty of fans pointing out how closely the new threads echo the Panthers jersey style. For Carolina observers, it is the kind of uniform comparison that can linger well beyond the reveal, especially when a divisional opponents new look starts drawing comments about resemblance instead of originality. [Read more 🡒]