Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks Out 6-8 Weeks After Groin Surgery

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks will miss six to eight weeks after undergoing groin surgery Sunday, Sept. 23. The Panthers placed Brooks on injured reserve Wednesday, Sept. 22, following a significant groin injury sustained in the fourth quarter of the team's 34-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Coach Dave Canales confirmed the surgery and recovery timeline, stating the team received multiple medical opinions after Brooks' MRI on Monday. "The timeline for return with surgical versus nonsurgical was going to be similar. We agreed this would be the best course of action to get him back," Canales said Sunday.

Brooks, a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has faced a challenging start to his professional career. He tore his ACL during his final season at Texas and reinjured the same knee during his rookie year with the Panthers, missing the remainder of the 2024 season and all of 2025. He played sparingly in the Panthers' first two games this season, with his playing time managed partly due to a groin injury during training camp.

Quarterback Bryce Young expressed sympathy for Brooks. "I am going to be praying for him," Young said. "He works so hard. It's tough. He's a soldier and I know he will bounce back and do the work."

In response to Brooks' injury, the Panthers promoted Anthony Tyus from the practice squad. He is expected to play Sunday in Cleveland. The team also signed safety Isaiah Simmons from the practice squad to fill Brooks' spot on the 53-man roster.

Several defensive players also sat out practice Sunday after the win against the Falcons. Inside linebacker Devin Lloyd, edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, safety Nick Scott and reserve linebacker Claudin Cherelus did not practice. Coach Canales said the team will evaluate all four players later this week. Defensive tackle Bobby Brown III and outside linebacker Patrick Jones II fully participated in practice.