Set to start preseason opener
Brooks will start Saturday's preseason game against the Bills, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Carolina's original plan was for Brooks to mix in alongside Chuba Hubbard, but head coach Dave Canales revealed Thursday that Hubbard is considered week-to-week due to a hamstring injury, per Mike Kaye of ESPN.com. While Hubbard is expected to be ready for Week 1 action, per Canales via Joe Person of The Athletic, his current absence opens the door for Brooks to make a case for the top spot on a running back depth chart that also includes Trevor Etienne and AJ Dillon.
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Jonathon Brooks
Declares himself 100 percent
Brooks (groin) said Wednesday he's 100 percent healthy and expects to play Sunday against the Bears, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.
Xavier Legette
Past ankle injury
Legette (ankle) is not listed on the Panthers' injury report Wednesday.
Chuba Hubbard
Not listed on injury report
Hubbard (hamstring) was not listed on the Panthers' injury report Wednesday.
Jonathon Brooks
Officially limited Wednesday
Brooks (groin) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Jonathon Brooks
Practicing in pads Wednesday
Brooks (general soreness) is in uniform and pads at Wednesday's practice, Mike Kaye of ESPN.com reports.
Darren Waller
Preparing to play Week 1
Waller said Monday that he's practicing as if he's going to play in Sunday's game against the Bears, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.
Jonathon Brooks
Works off to side Monday
Brooks (general soreness) was spotted working out of to the side during Monday's practice, Mike Kaye of ESPN.com reports.
Jalen Coker
Listed as starting WR
Coker is listed as a starting wide receiver on the Panthers' unofficial depth chart.
Bryce Young
Working with new play caller
Young will be working with a new play caller in 2026 with offensive coordinator Brad Idzik taking those duties from head coach Dave Canales, Mike Kaye of ESPN.com reports.
Darren Waller
Jumps into team drills Wednesday
Waller, who signed with the Panthers on Aug. 12, took part in team drills with the first-team offense Wednesday as the coaching staff looks to get him fully incorporated ahead of Week 1, Kassidy Hill of the team's official site reports.