Jonathon Brooks injury update: Latest on Panthers RB's status for Week 12 vs Chiefs

The Carolina Panthers return from their bye week in Week 12 for one of their toughest matchups of the season against the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas City (9-1) saw their undefeated streak end in Week 11 with a 30-21 loss on the road to the Buffalo Bills. They stay on the road against Carolina (3-7), who won consecutive games for the first time since 2021 before their bye.

The Panthers should get a boost this week, with some players making a return from the injury report. Here's the latest on one of those players, running back Jonathon Brooks.

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Jonathon Brooks injury update

Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales said Monday that he expects Brooks to play against the Chiefs on Sunday. Brooks confirmed that when talking to reporters as well.

"I'm excited just to be able to get back on the field and play a game that I love," Brooks said. "It's truly a blessing just to be able to get back out there and be 100% and be able to play football again."

Carolina selected Brooks in the second round, 46th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was the first running back selected in the draft.

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When was Jonathon Brooks injured?

Brooks was injured in his final season of college football. He tore his ACL in Texas' 29-26 win over TCU on Nov. 11, 2023 and missed the Longhorns' remaining games after having surgery. Carolina placed him on the reserve/non-football injury list ahead of the season.

The Panthers activated him from injured reserve on Nov. 6, opening a 21-day window for him to make his season debut.

Panthers RB depth chart

Hubbard has led the way, but the Panthers have multiple running backs behind him on the roster. Here's how things look for Carolina entering Week 12:

• Chuba Hubbard

• Jonathon Brooks

• Miles Sanders

• Raheem Blackshear

The Panthers also have running backs Dillon Johnson and Mike Boone signed to the practice squad.

Carolina Panthers rushing stats

Without Brooks in the lineup, Carolina has relied on Chuba Hubbard as the primary running back. Hubbard played well and entered Week 12 ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (818) and tied for 12th in rushing touchdowns (six).

Here's how the team ranks league-wide:

• Rushing yards per game: 110.0 (24th)

• Yards per attempt: 4.6 (T-9th)

• Rushing touchdowns: 8 (T-17th)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jonathon Brooks injury update: Is Panthers RB playing this week?