Carolina Panthers Running Back Talks Return to Game Action

August 16, 2026 - 18:31

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is finally talking about what it felt like to get back into live game action after a long and frustrating stretch on the sideline. Brooks, who has been working through a series of injury setbacks since joining the team, spoke openly about the mental and physical hurdles of returning to the field. He admitted that the first few carries felt a bit strange, but he also said that being out there with his teammates again brought back the joy of the game.

Brooks did not go into heavy detail about the specific plays or his stats, but he made it clear that the biggest win was simply finishing the game without any new issues. He mentioned that the coaching staff kept a close eye on his workload, and that he understood the need to be patient. According to Brooks, the hardest part was not the contact or the speed of the defense, but rather trusting his body to respond the way it did before the injuries.

He also gave credit to the offensive line and the other backs in the room for helping him ease back into the rhythm. Brooks said that the support from the locker room made a big difference, and that he feels more confident now than he did a few weeks ago. While he knows there is still work to do, he is just happy to be moving forward and contributing to the team's effort. The focus now is on building up his stamina and continuing to improve each day, with the goal of being fully available for the rest of the season.