Week 10 just wasn’t the week for the NFL debut of Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks.
Head coach Dave Canales spoke to reporters this afternoon, as the team returned home from Sunday’s 20-17 overtime win over the New York Giants. The victory did not include Brooks, who was officially activated to the 53-man roster this past Wednesday
Canales was asked why he kept the rookie on the sideline.
“Took in a lot of factors, watched him progress throughout the week and really just felt like it wasn’t time yet,” he replied. “And so, now we have two weeks before we play our next game, to be able to just get him in tip-top shape. And we gotta, again, see where Miles [Sanders] is at. But then we can make the decision going from there.”
Brooks tore the ACL in his right knee while still playing for the University of Texas Longhorns last November. He did not participate in practices throughout the offseason and began the campaign on the reserve/non-football injury list.
The 21-year-old could finally see the field on Nov. 24, when the Panthers return from their upcoming bye week to host the Kansas City Chiefs.
As stated by Canales, Brooks’ status may also hinge on the outlook for his fellow back in Sanders—who exited yesterday’s game with a foot/ankle injury.
[lawrence-related id=706803,706785,706789]