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The sustained health of running back Jonathon Brooks promises to develop into one of the Carolina Panthers' top training camp storylines.
After back-to-back right knee surgeries and taking all of last season to recover, the 2024 second-round draft pick was presented with the opportunity to serve as the top backup to starter Chuba Hubbard.
"He's been in building," Panthers coach Dave Canales said during the offseason program. "He's been working out. He's been training with our guys."
In other words, the Panthers are counting on Brooks displaying the breakaway speed he had at Texas, taking hits and remaining healthy.
"I know what he looked like prior to the injury," Canales said. "That's a vision that I hope he has, too, so that we can go and attack that."
With left tackle Ikem Ekwonu (knee) not expected to return until the second half of the upcoming season, the Panthers will also need to "attack" injury issues for three potential starters, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, inside linebacker Trevin Wallace and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton.
Three Panthers' starters dealing with offseason injuries
The Panthers, who will kick off the 2026 NFL campaign by competing in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6, open training camp July 22 at the practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium. Embarking on the defense of their NFC South championship, here is where they stand with three injured key contributors:
WR Tetairoa McMillan (foot)
The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year participated in portions of offseason training activities (OTAs), but was hobbled by foot problems. Canales claimed the franchise was taking a precautionary approach to the 2025 first-round draft pick, who collected 70 catches for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns. Canales said McMillan and Jalen Coker enter training camp as the top two wideouts.
ILB Trevin Wallace (shoulder)
Limited after undergoing shoulder surgery last December, the third-year veteran donned a non-contact red jersey during offseason training activities (OTAs). Canales said he expected Wallace to be active for training camp. As top free-agent addition Devin Lloyd begins to take ownership of the position room, the Panthers will have the luxury of easing Wallace back into the starting lineup of the base 3-4 defense.
DL Tershawn Wharton (ncek)
The news of Wharton undergoing neck surgery last winter rippled through the Panthers' front office. While Canales confirmed the injury news didn't play much of a role in the team drafting defensive lineman Lee Hunter in the second round, the early depth benefits could be apparent if Wharton opens the campaign on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Second-year defensive lineman Cam Jackson could also receive extra training camp snaps.
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