Things were already trending in this direction after the Panthers placed Brooks on the NFI list to open training camp. Brooks suffered a torn ACL late in his final season at Texas and has been on the mend ever since. Despite early hopes that he would be ready by the start of training camp, those hopes quickly faded after Brooks failed to get much work in during OTAs and minicamp. As long as he remains out, the Panthers figure to lean heavily on Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders, with Hubbard expected to operate as the lead back. Canales has put emphasis on the running game all offseason and utilized Rachaad White heavily last season in Tampa Bay. Hubbard could have some nice value as a late-round fantasy pick that figures to see plenty of work in both the running and passing game.

Brooks can be activated at any time. The rookie suffered a torn ACL last November while playing for Texas and is expected to be eased back into things. This news doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given the timing of his injury and the fact that head coach Dave Canales said back in June that he may not be ready for camp. As long as Brooks is out, Chuba Hubbard is expected to handle RB1 duties in the Panthers’ backfield, with Miles Sanders likely to spell him on occasional downs. It’s too early to know when Brooks could be activated from the NFI, but it wouldn’t be surprising if his absence stretched into the early part of the season.

Canales also said Brooks has a ways to go before he is ready and the team will ease him into training camp. Brooks suffered a torn ACL late in his final season at Texas and is still recovering from the injury. Previous reports were optimistic that Brooks would be cleared by training camp, but Canales and the Panthers are now pumping the breaks. Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders are the next men up on Carolina’s depth chart. Hubbard proved far more effective than Sanders last year and would likely get the first crack at the starting gig if Brooks misses any time.

More specifically, Canales said he wants to get Brooks in space, use him on perimeter screens and check-downs, and in an empty package that utilizes running backs. He also added that Brooks’ versatility is “probably the biggest thing that stood out” to him and the coaches throughout the pre-draft process. Brooks, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season, rushed for 187-1139-10 in his final season with the Longhorns and added another 25-286-1 through the air. While he spent much of his career playing behind Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, in his lone season as the starter, he did more than enough to impress and get selected as the RB1 of the 2024 draft class. Canales led a Buccaneers offense in 2023 that funneled 70 targets to Rachaad White, and should bring similar elements of that offense to the Panthers. Brooks will have top-24 upside in PPR leagues once he’s taken full control of Carolina’s backfield, which should happen sooner rather than later. At this time, Brooks is expected to be ready when training camp kicks off in late July.