Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is dealing with another significant injury setback just two games into his return to the NFL.
Brooks is expected to undergo surgery to repair a core muscle injury after leaving Carolina’s Week 2 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The Panthers are also expected to place Brooks on injured reserve, with the running back projected to miss at least six weeks.
Here is what happened to Brooks, what his core muscle surgery means, why Carolina is placing him on injured reserve and when he could potentially return.
What Injury Does Jonathon Brooks Have?
Brooks has been diagnosed with a core muscle injury that requires surgery.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Brooks was expected to undergo surgery on September 23 to repair the injury and would subsequently be placed on injured reserve. Brooks is expected to miss at least six weeks. [NFL]
The injury was initially described by the Panthers as a groin injury. Brooks left Carolina’s 34-3 victory over Atlanta during the fourth quarter and did not return. Head coach Dave Canales said afterward that the team was waiting for MRI results. [AP]
ESPN reported that Brooks walked to the tunnel accompanied by members of the Panthers’ staff and was later seen favoring the injury while making his way to the locker room. [ESPN via ABC7]
What Is Core Muscle Surgery?
A core muscle injury affects muscles or tendons around the lower abdomen, pelvis and groin. The condition can overlap with what is commonly called athletic pubalgia or a sports hernia.
Despite the name “sports hernia,” it is not necessarily a traditional hernia. Cleveland Clinic describes athletic pubalgia as an injury, often involving a tear, to muscles or tendons in the lower abdomen or groin. Explosive movements, cutting and forceful changes of direction can place significant stress on this area. [Cleveland Clinic]
That makes the core especially important for an NFL running back. Brooks needs to accelerate, cut, absorb contact and rapidly change direction on nearly every touch.
However, reports on Brooks have only described his condition as a core muscle injury. They have not publicly identified the exact muscle or tendon involved or the specific surgical technique that will be performed. It therefore would be premature to say Brooks definitively underwent one particular type of sports-hernia procedure.
Was Brooks Already Dealing With A Groin Injury?
Yes.
Brooks had experienced groin soreness before Carolina’s season opener. He appeared on the Panthers’ Week 1 injury report with a groin issue but progressed to full participation and entered the game without an injury designation. [Panthers]
Brooks then played against the Chicago Bears and again against Atlanta before leaving the Falcons game.
ESPN reported that the groin problem had originally surfaced leading up to Week 1. The injury suffered against Atlanta ultimately proved serious enough that surgery was recommended. [ESPN via ABC7]
Why Are The Panthers Putting Jonathon Brooks On Injured Reserve?
The decision is primarily about the length of Brooks’ recovery.
An NFL player placed on injured reserve during the regular season must miss at least four games before he is eligible to return. Brooks’ projected recovery period is already longer than that minimum, with reports saying he will be sidelined for at least six weeks. [NFL]
There is therefore little reason for Carolina to keep Brooks occupying a spot on its active roster while knowing he will not be medically available for several games.
Placing him on IR allows the Panthers to carry another healthy player while Brooks undergoes surgery and rehabilitation. It does not necessarily mean his season is over.
How Long Will Jonathon Brooks Be Out?
The reported timetable is at least six weeks. [NFL]
That is longer than the NFL’s four-game minimum for a player returning from injured reserve, so Brooks’ medical recovery — rather than the IR rule itself — is likely to determine when he comes back.
The Panthers also have an early bye, which affects how many games Brooks could actually miss during a six-week recovery period.
Carolina’s upcoming schedule includes:
- Week 3: at Cleveland Browns
- Week 4: vs. Detroit Lions
- Week 5: Bye
- Week 6: at Philadelphia Eagles
- Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 8: at Green Bay Packers
The Panthers’ Week 5 bye means a six-week absence does not necessarily equal six missed games. ESPN reported that a best-case recovery could result in Brooks missing approximately five games. [ESPN via ABC7] Carolina’s 2026 schedule confirms the Week 5 bye. [Panthers]
Any return date should still be considered tentative. Brooks will need to complete his rehabilitation and receive medical clearance before returning to game action.
Is Jonathon Brooks’ New Injury Related To His ACL?
There has been no indication that Brooks tore his ACL again or that the new injury involves his surgically repaired right knee.
The current problem is a core muscle/groin injury.
That distinction is significant because Brooks has already undergone two major ACL rehabilitations. He originally tore the ACL in his right knee during his final season at Texas in 2023. Carolina nevertheless selected him with the No. 46 overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. [ESPN]
Brooks returned late in his rookie season but tore the same ACL again against the Philadelphia Eagles in December 2024. The second injury caused him to miss the remainder of the season and all of 2025. [ESPN]
He finally returned to regular-season action in September 2026.
How Much Had Brooks Played Before The Injury?
Carolina was easing Brooks back into the offense rather than immediately giving him a featured workload.
Through the Panthers’ first two games of 2026, Brooks had nine carries for 30 rushing yards and two receptions for 43 receiving yards. His 48-yard reception against Chicago demonstrated some of the explosiveness Carolina hoped he could add alongside starter Chuba Hubbard. [Panthers]
The latest injury came particularly quickly after Brooks finally completed the long rehabilitation from his second ACL reconstruction.
Who Replaces Jonathon Brooks For The Panthers?
Chuba Hubbard remains Carolina’s primary running back and should continue receiving most of the workload.
Veteran AJ Dillon is also available to take additional carries following Brooks’ injury. NFL.com reported that Hubbard is expected to continue leading the backfield with Dillon working behind him. [NFL]
The Panthers are also exploring outside help. ESPN reported that Carolina was bringing veteran running back Austin Ekeler in for a workout following the news about Brooks. [ESPN via ABC7]
Carolina could therefore add another running back while Brooks is recovering.
Is Jonathon Brooks Out For The 2026 Season?
No — at least not based on the current prognosis.
The Associated Press reported that Brooks is expected to return during the 2026 season despite needing surgery. [AP]
An absence of at least six weeks would still leave a substantial portion of Carolina’s schedule available if Brooks’ rehabilitation progresses as expected.
His placement on injured reserve should therefore be viewed as a temporary roster move connected to a significant rehabilitation period rather than an announcement that his season is finished.
Jonathon Brooks Injury And Surgery FAQ
What surgery is Jonathon Brooks having?
Brooks is expected to undergo surgery to repair a core muscle injury. The exact muscle or tendon involved and the specific surgical procedure have not yet been publicly disclosed.
What happened to Jonathon Brooks?
Brooks left the Panthers’ Week 2 win over Atlanta with what was initially called a groin injury. Further evaluation determined that he had a core muscle injury serious enough to require surgery.
How long is Jonathon Brooks out?
Current reporting says Brooks is expected to miss at least six weeks.
Why is Jonathon Brooks going on injured reserve?
His expected six-week recovery is longer than the NFL’s minimum four-game IR absence. Putting him on IR allows Carolina to carry another healthy player while Brooks recovers.
Can Jonathon Brooks return this season?
Yes. Current reporting indicates that Brooks is expected to return later in the 2026 season if his rehabilitation proceeds as planned.
Did Jonathon Brooks tear his ACL again?
No new ACL tear has been reported. His current injury involves his core/groin region rather than the right knee in which he previously suffered two ACL tears.
