Jonathon Brooks heads to injured reserve again, forcing the Panthers to explore a familiar NFL name in Austin Ekeler

Jonathon Brooks' comeback has hit another setback, and the Carolina Panthers are already looking outside the building for help.

The Panthers running back is expected to undergo surgery Wednesday for a core muscle injury and land on injured reserve, with the latest ESPN report citing sources who say he will miss at least six weeks. Brooks suffered the injury during Carolina's win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday after initially dealing with a groin problem.

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His latest absence comes just as the third-year running back was beginning to put together his first full NFL season.

Carolina has responded quickly.

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According to ESPN, the Panthers are bringing former Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler in for a workout. The move was first reported by KPRC 2 and confirmed by ESPN through league sources.

The Panthers now have to manage their backfield without a player they had waited a long time to get back on the field.

Brooks' return lasted only two games

Brooks' road back to the NFL has already been unusually difficult.

The Panthers selected him in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft after his final college season at Texas was cut short by a right ACL injury. ESPN reported that Brooks missed most of his rookie season while recovering from that injury. He returned for only three games before tearing the same ACL again in December 2024.

The second injury ruled him out for the entire 2025 season.

That meant this year's training camp represented a significant point in Brooks' development. For the first time since entering the league, he was able to participate in training camp and preseason activities without having to spend the summer rehabbing an ACL injury.

There was still a complication before the season began.

Brooks suffered a groin injury in the buildup to Week 1 but recovered sufficiently to play against the Chicago Bears. ESPN reported that he subsequently appeared in Carolina's second game of the season against Atlanta before leaving in the fourth quarter.

The sight of Brooks leaving the field was concerning. He walked toward the tunnel with a towel covering his head and was accompanied by three Panthers staff members before later making his way to the locker room under his own power.

The diagnosis has now resulted in another stint on injured reserve.

According to ESPN, Brooks had 30 rushing yards on nine carries and 43 receiving yards on two catches through the first two games of the season.

For a player who had already spent so much time away from football, the timing is particularly unfortunate.

Chuba Hubbard is set for more work

With Brooks unavailable, Carolina's backfield plan becomes much simpler.

Chuba Hubbard is expected to handle the bulk of the workload.

ESPN reported that Hubbard has rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown this season while adding five receptions for 49 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He entered the year as the Panthers' veteran starting running back and is now positioned to take on an even larger share of the offensive snaps.

The Panthers still have AJ Dillon behind Hubbard.

Dillon is expected to provide a change-of-pace option, but the loss of Brooks reduces Carolina's flexibility. Brooks had been expected to develop into an important part of the rotation after finally returning from his long injury absence.

The Panthers also have younger options available.

ESPN noted that Anthony Tyus III has spent the past two seasons on Carolina's practice squad and received significant opportunities during the preseason. Ahmani Marshall, a second-year running back, is another practice-squad option.

But Carolina's decision to bring Ekeler in for a workout suggests the coaching staff would prefer to add another experienced player rather than simply rely on its existing depth.

That does not mean Ekeler will automatically join the roster.

The workout gives the Panthers a chance to assess where the veteran stands physically and whether he can contribute if they decide to sign him.

Why Austin Ekeler has entered the picture

Ekeler is not a random name being brought in because Carolina suddenly needs another running back.

The veteran spent seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Washington Commanders. His experience includes extensive work as both a runner and receiver, making him a player capable of contributing in multiple areas of an offence.

ESPN identified Ekeler as the veteran the Panthers are bringing in for a workout following Brooks' injury.

That versatility could be useful for Carolina.

Brooks had been contributing as both a runner and receiver in his limited action this season. Through two games, he had nine rushing attempts and two receptions, according to ESPN.

Ekeler has spent much of his career operating in a similar dual-threat role.

However, his own injury history means Carolina will have questions to answer before making a decision.

Ekeler missed most of the 2025 season after suffering an Achilles injury with Washington. That makes Wednesday's workout an important evaluation of where he is physically and whether he can handle an NFL workload.

For Carolina, the appeal is obvious: experience, versatility and familiarity with the demands of an NFL offence.

The question is whether Ekeler is ready to provide those qualities immediately.

The timing could limit Brooks' absence

Although Brooks is expected to miss at least six weeks, the Panthers' schedule could work slightly in his favour.

ESPN noted that Carolina has an early Week 5 bye. If Brooks follows the reported recovery timeline without setbacks, the bye could reduce the number of games he ultimately misses to five.

That does not change the immediate problem.

Carolina still has to play without Brooks for a significant stretch, and the team cannot assume that his recovery will follow the shortest possible timetable.

For now, Hubbard becomes the central figure in the running game.

Dillon should receive more opportunities, while the Panthers can decide whether Tyus or Marshall deserve a larger role. Bringing Ekeler in for a workout gives Carolina another potential solution without committing to a roster move before evaluating him.

The early bye also gives Brooks additional recovery time.

But his latest injury adds another interruption to a career that has barely had a chance to develop.

Brooks has spent much of his first three NFL seasons dealing with injuries rather than building a consistent role in Carolina's offense. His return this year was supposed to change that.

Instead, the Panthers are once again adjusting their plans around his availability.

Carolina's backfield has changed quickly

The Panthers did not necessarily enter the season expecting Brooks to carry the backfield.

Hubbard was the established starter, while Brooks was expected to provide another option and gradually expand his role after missing the entire 2025 season.

That balance lasted only two games.

Now, Hubbard is likely to shoulder considerably more responsibility, Dillon becomes more important, and the Panthers are exploring the free-agent market for additional depth.

ESPN reported that Brooks' latest injury means Carolina will place him on injured reserve and that Ekeler is being brought in for a workout.

It is a quick change for a team that had only recently welcomed Brooks back.

The Panthers can at least take some comfort from the fact that the current expectation is not a season-ending absence. Brooks is expected to miss six weeks or more, leaving open the possibility of a return later in the season.

That makes the immediate challenge one of managing the position rather than replacing Brooks permanently.

Hubbard has already shown he can carry the main workload. Dillon gives the Panthers another experienced back, while the practice squad provides younger alternatives.

Ekeler could become another piece of that group if the Panthers are satisfied with his workout.

For Brooks, however, the priority is recovery.

After two ACL surgeries and a long road back to the NFL field, another injury has once again interrupted his progress.

And for Carolina, the next several weeks will be about keeping the running game moving while waiting for the player it had spent so long trying to get back.