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Panthers Making Move After Jonathon Brooks Injury as Former All-Pro Austin Ekeler Visits
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- Panthers Making Move After Jonathon Brooks Injury as Former All-Pro Austin Ekeler Visits
The Carolina Panthers are planning a temporary replacement for injured Jonathon Brooks with a veteran running back. The Panthers are reportedly considering former second-team All-Pro running back Austin Ekeler after workout sessions on Wednesday.
Ekeler spent the offseason recovering from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered last season but is now fully healthy, Wilson writes. The star running back saw his 2025 campaign end after two games due to the injury, but could now field for the Panthers following Brooks' injury.
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Why the Carolina Panthers Fancy Austin Ekeler 's Return
Dec 1, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (24) during pregame warmups against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The 31-year-old former All-Pro spent the last two seasons with the Washington Commanders . Before that, he was with the Los Angeles Chargers for seven campaigns. Ekeler posted 77 carries for 367 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and four touchdowns in 12 games and added 35 receptions for 366 yards in the season before his torn Achilles. The Panthers might fancy Ekele contributing his bank of experience to the franchise in Jonathon's absence.
Brooks will be away for 4-6 weeks due to a groin injury. The third-year running back left Sunday's win over the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter with the injury. He walked to the tunnel with a towel over his head with three members of the Panthers' staff. Later, footage from the camp showed him slowly limping, on his own power, to the locker room after the game.
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NFL insider Jordan Shultz reports that Ekeler works out at the Panthers today ahead of a possible deal with the franchise. Besides the experience he brings to the squad, Ekeler could make significant impacts on the rushing and receiving yards. He's also widely regarded as a reliable athlete in pass protection.
Aside from his experience, reports claim the only concerns about Ekeler are his age and health records. The 31-year-old missed three games in 2023, five games in 2024, and 15 in 2025. But those concerns could give way to the Panthers' urgency to land a significant replacement.
Brooks was dealing with a groin injury during training camp, which worsened in Week 2. The health situation forced his early exit from the contest. Reports claim Brook will have core muscle surgery before sitting out on the Injured Reserve (IR) list.
The situation is not Brooks' first injury. He tore his ACL for a second time in 2024, which saw him miss all of the 2025 season. His contributions to the franchise are yet to be outstanding. This season, he has only nine carries for 30 yards (3.3 yards per carry) and two catches for 43 yards, with one of those receptions actually losing five yards.
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The Panthers have only two healthy running backs at the moment on their 53-man roster. They also have a pair of inexperienced backs on the practice squad in Ahmani Marshall and Anthony Tyus II. This situation describes their need for more experience in the position.
Barring any unexpected hindrances, there are widespread expectations that Ekeler could join the Panthers, especially if he doesn't have a better opportunity elsewhere.
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The post Panthers Making Move After Jonathon Brooks Injury as Former All-Pro Austin Ekeler Visits appeared first on Gridiron Heroics .
