For a while, it looked like all the momentum in the Carolina Panthers' backfield was behind Jonathon Brooks. However, there has been a shift over the past week, as Chuba Hubbard has returned from injury and Brooks is now missing practice due to soreness.
Generally, soreness wouldn't be a major concern, but when a running back has been limited to just nine carries in NFL seasons due to two ACL tears in the same knee. After he missed another practice on Monday, it's reasonable to be worried about starting him in Week 1.
There is no doubt that the talent and upside are there for Brooks, who was an elite running back prospect, but we have also never seen him be a successful NFL running back, and two ACL tears can derail a running back's trajectory. This is becoming a tough situation heading into the season opener.
Can You Trust Jonathon Brooks In Week 1?
While we don't believe that Brooks is necessarily a bad option in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, whose run defense is still a work in progress, we also aren't opposed to going in a different direction. Even if Brooks were fully healthy and never missed any time, there is still a real chance that Hubbard would be the starter and lead that backfield in Week 1. Brooks dealing with soreness only makes that a more likely reality.
