The Carolina Panthers added to their running back room despite having a Pro Bowl-caliber rusher in Chuba Hubbard. The Panthers signed Rico Dowdle and retained Raheem Blackshear during the free-agent cycle. They also drafted Trevor Etienne in the fourth round and signed Kay’ron Lynch-Adams as an undrafted free agent.
The reason for bringing in these running backs could be attributed to the fact that their former second-round picks’ availability is in question for 2025.
The Carolina Panthers’ 2nd round pick is dealing with a significant injury
Jonathon Brooks‘ rookie season was cut short to just three games after suffering an ACL tear during the first quarter of Week 14 against the Philadelphia Eagles, his second ACL tear sustained in 13 months. Since the injury occurred later in the year and this is his second ACL tear, Brooks faced a long road to recovery. To make matters worse, his availability is in question, as many expect him to miss at least the first half of the 2025 season.
Also Read: Carolina Panthers: Rookie Receives Gut-Wrenching Injury News for Week 15
He is out for the entire 2025 season
According to Ian Rapoport, the Carolina Panthers have placed Jonathon Brooks on the reserve/PUP list. Since the Panthers placed him on the PUP list before the start of training camp, he will miss the entire 2025 season. The expectation is for him to get back to full strength in 2026.
The #Panthers have also placed RB Jonathon Brooks on the PUP list because of the ACL he tore in Week 14. That means he’s out for the entire 2025, giving him the entire season to get back to full strength. https://t.co/rLz22IdCCv
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 8, 2025
Fans react to the news
should’ve never activated him last season
— chris (@uzumonkeyy) May 8, 2025
Sad smh.
— PENIX RIDER (@toetappz) May 8, 2025
His career is over before it even started
— Happy (@Happy2themoon) May 8, 2025
Oof, that’s a tough break for Jonathon. Wishing him a speedy recovery.
— FortKnox (@FortKnoxCrypto) May 8, 2025
We are praying for a speedy recovery. That is awful.
— Joel Norris (@pigskin_frenzy) May 8, 2025
Such a sad story man. Will be rooting for his comeback.
— Jacoby (@JacobyFC) May 8, 2025
2 ACL tears back to back on the same knee is awful. I hope he can get healthy and back to form for 2026 🙏
— Kyle (@ImKyleMangum) May 8, 2025
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