Former Texas star RB will miss entire NFL season with another ACL injury

A devastating story has hit the Longhorn fanbase as a former Texas star running back was announced as out for the entirety of the 2025-26 NFL season.

Jonathon Brooks, who helped lead the Longhorns to stardom during the 2023 season, was placed on the "Physically Unable to Perform" list by the Carolina Panthers and will miss all of the upcoming season, just his second year in the NFL.

Devastatingly, Brooks suffered yet another torn ACL, re-tearing the knee that he injured during his final season with the Horns. Just over a year apart, Brooks endured one of the worst injuries imaginable for an athlete.

Brooks, who earned nearly 1,500 rushing yards alongside 16 rushing touchdowns while playing for Texas, has only appeared in three games at the next level, earning nine carries for just 22 yards. He was originally selected 46th overall by the Panthers in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Jesse Morse, a board-certified doctor in sports medicine, shared that the Panthers had confirmed Brooks' status as OUT for the entire 2025 season, after coming to the conclusion that it was "the best decision for Brooks’ long-term health."

Less than two months before the news broke of Brooks' status, the Panthers signed veteran running back Rico Dowdle to a one-year deal that was projected to be valued around $6.25 million. When Dowdle signed with Carolina, the rumors started churning that Brooks' injury was as bad, if not worse, as originally feared.

The Panthers also have Chuba Hubbard and Trevor Etienne to rotate in at fullback. As well as Dillon Johnson, who plays more of an all-purpose role, and satellite backs Raheem Blackshear and Emani Bailey.