Panthers ‘fully expect’ RB Jonathon Brooks to make NFL debut in Week 12

Panthers HC Dave Canales told reporters that he expects rookie RB Jonathon Brooks to make his NFL debut in Week 12 vs. the Chiefs.

Get ready for the NFL debut of Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks.

The team’s second-round pick has yet to hit the professional gridiron due to an ACL tear he sustained last November. But the wait, according to head coach Dave Canales, may finally be over for the 21-year-old rusher.

“I fully expect JB to make his debut this week against the Chiefs,” Canales told reporters after this morning’s practice. “Again, we have some practices to go through to make sure that we’re ready to go there. Same thing with [Adam] Thielen. Just get ’em out there. They were running around today. We’ll have a couple of practices to make that decision. But my hope is to have both of those guys out there on Sunday.”

Carolina traded up to grab Brooks with the 46th overall selection of the 2024 draft. But Brooks, who was initially expected to be ready for training camp, remained sidelined throughout the offseason and began the regular season on the physically unable to perform/non-football injury list.

The Panthers officially activated Brooks to the 53-man roster ahead of their Week 10 win over the New York Giants.

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