Three years ago, Texas running back Jonathon Brooks was making his name known as a star for the Longhorns. It looked like Brooks was on his way to winning the Doak Walker Award, and he seemingly couldn't be stopped by any of the Horns' opponents.
Then, he suffered a season-ending injury that cut his time at Texas short. He declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and was taken in the second round by the Carolina Panthers.
In December of his rookie season, Brooks and the rest of the nation was devestated when the former Longhorn tore his ACL for a second time, ending his first year in the NFL and sidelining him for the entirety of the 2025 season.
Now, over two years since he was first drafted into the league, Brooks appears to be back at full health, seeming to be at 100 percent as the Panthers started their OTAs, or spring training.
NFL spring practice has Jonathon Brooks back on the field
In a clip posted by a North Carolina reporter, Brooks can be seen taking reps, both on the ground and through the air, with a sleeve on his twice-injured leg.
Jonathon Brooks looks to be a full go to open @Panthers OTA's.#KeepPounding @wyffnews4 pic.twitter.com/Fc1MiDs6gx
— Chase Justice WYFF News 4 (@ChaseJusticeTV) May 26, 2026
Before going down with the second ACL tear, Brooks appeared in three games for the Panthers, earning 22 rushing yards on nine carries. He also earned 23 yards on three receptions. The expectations for Brooks' career still loom largely overhead.
While at Texas, Brooks was an elite running back for the Longhorns, earning 1,479 rushing yards in three years for 16 touchdowns. During his junior season, which was the only one where he was a true starter, he earned 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He also racked up 335 yards and two touchdowns through the air during his time for the Horns. He had just one attempt at a punt return and also earned four total tackles in his collegiate career.
Brooks and the Panthers will play their first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on August 9 at 7 p.m. CT. Carolina's first regular-season game will be against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 13, at noon.
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