CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Speaking to the media during a press conference Monday, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced that rookie running back Jonathon Brooks will make his NFL debut Sunday at home against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Panthers, who have won two games in a row, play the Chiefs on Sunday at 1 p.m. on WFMY News 2.
Brooks has missed the first 10 games of the season for Carolina while working back from an ACL tear he suffered during his final season at Texas. Before injuring his knee late in the year, Brooks has totaled 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 187 carries for the Longhorns in 2023.
The 6-foot, 205-pound running back was selected in the second round with the No. 46 overall pick by Carolina in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was one of two Texas players drafted by the Panthers along with tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, who has become the team's top tight end this year thanks to injuries to Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas.
Brooks began the 2024 season on injured reserve before he was designated to return by the team a few weeks ago.
Carolina already has one of the top running backs in the NFL this season in Chuba Hubbard, who is currently fourth in the league this season with 818 rushing yards. Adding Brooks to the mix will give the Panthers another offensive weapon, something that will be crucial as the team has returned to Bryce Young as their starting quarterback.
The Chiefs will enter Sunday's game coming off their first loss of the season, which they suffered at the hands of the Buffalo Bills, 30-21, this past Sunday. Kansas City ranks third in the NFL in team rush defense, only allowing 85.3 yards per game so far in 2024.
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