Jonathan Brooks Heads to IR, Chuba Hubbard Takes Over the Panthers Backfield

Jonathan Brooks is heading back to the operating table, which is starting to feel less like a news update and more like a permanent residency.

Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that the Carolina Panthers running back is undergoing surgery for a core muscle injury suffered in Sunday's win over the Atlanta Falcons. He is heading to Injured Reserve and will miss at least six weeks.

"Ian Rapoport reported that Brooks is out at least 6 weeks but should return with plenty of time to contribute down the stretch."

If you are keeping track at home, Brooks tore his ACL at Texas in November 2023, re-tore the exact same ACL against the Philadelphia Eagles in December 2024, missed the entire 2025 season, and made it exactly two weeks into 2026 before his core muscles gave out. The man's medical chart reads like a medieval battle log.

For fantasy managers who drafted Brooks hoping for a post-hype breakout, it is time to fire up the waiver wire. Chuba Hubbard is about to inherit a massive workload by default. Hubbard already vultured a two-yard rushing touchdown in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears and caught a three-yard score against Atlanta, making him the only viable Panthers back to trust in any lineup or prop bet right now.

Brooks managed just 28 rushing yards on the season before exiting in the fourth quarter on Sunday with a towel over his head. Carolina initially called him day-to-day, which in NFL coach-speak apparently translates to immediate surgical intervention.

The Panthers reportedly expect Brooks back for the stretch run, but relying on his health at this point is a gamble nobody should be taking. Until he actually strings together a month of healthy football, Hubbard is the undisputed engine of whatever you want to call the Carolina ground game.