Brooks' Core Surgery Ends 2026 Season Early, Prompting Panthers to Seek Ekeler

Key points

• Brooks is scheduled for core muscle surgery on September 23, 2026, and will be placed on injured reserve.
• The injury was initially described as week-to-week but has been confirmed as a six-week absence.
• Brooks has accumulated only 52 rushing yards in his career and has never gained a rushing first down.
• The Panthers have scheduled a workout with veteran running back Austin Ekeler to address the void.
• Chuba Hubbard has emerged as the clear primary back, handling 68% of offensive snaps compared to Brooks' 25%.

Background

Brooks was selected as the first running back in the 2024 NFL draft despite recovering from a college ACL tear. He re-tore his right ACL as a rookie, missing the bulk of 2024 and all of 2025. Ahead of the 2026 season, the Panthers planned a backfield-by-committee with Hubbard, but Brooks had been dealing with soreness since training camp. This latest injury marks the third major setback in his professional career.

How outlets are covering it

NBC Sports and CBS Sports agree that Brooks is out for at least six weeks and will be placed on injured reserve. CBS Sports highlights the immediate roster response, noting that Austin Ekeler is scheduled to work out for the team. In contrast, Panthers Wire suggests that the Panthers might look at trading for Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal instead, though this is speculative. All sources acknowledge that Chuba Hubbard is now the clear lead back, having outplayed Brooks in snap share during the first two weeks.

Why it matters

The loss of Brooks, a high-profile draft pick, forces the Panthers to restructure their rushing attack. With Hubbard as the primary option, the team must find a reliable backup to maintain offensive balance. The potential acquisition of Ekeler or Vidal indicates a shift in strategy from developing Brooks to relying on veteran experience, impacting both the team's immediate performance and long-term roster planning.

What to watch

The Panthers will evaluate Austin Ekeler during his scheduled workout on Wednesday. They may also monitor the trade market for Kimani Vidal if the backfield needs further reinforcement. Chuba Hubbard is expected to continue as the primary running back while the team assesses other options like AJ Dillon and practice squad players.