# Panthers RB Brooks headed to IR with core injury

> Carolina's injury-plagued running back needs surgery and will miss at least six weeks, forcing the team to seek outside help.
- Title: Panthers RB Brooks headed to IR with core injury · CBS Sports
- Summary: Carolina's injury-plagued running back needs surgery and will miss at least six weeks, forcing the team to seek outside help. Jonathon Brooks, the 2024 first…
- Keywords: carolina panthers, jonathon brooks, running back, injury, core muscle surgery, injured reserve, austin ekeler, chuba hubbard, nfl, sports, Panthers, Brooks
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nfl/news/jonathon-brooks-injury-panthers-austin-ekeler
- Published: 2026-09-23T12:34:38+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: carolina panthers, jonathon brooks, running back, injury, core muscle surgery, injured reserve, austin ekeler, chuba hubbard, nfl, sports
## Brooks needs core surgery, out six weeks
Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks will undergo core muscle surgery and miss at least six weeks after leaving Week 2's win over Atlanta with a groin injury.
## Brooks' injury history haunts his career
The 23-year-old first running back drafted in 2024 tore his right ACL in 2023 at Texas, re-tore it in Week 14 of his rookie season, and missed all of last year recovering.
## Hubbard stepping up in Brooks' absence
Chuba Hubbard has emerged as Carolina's clear top running back with 27 touches and 68% of offensive snaps, while Brooks managed only 11 touches and 25% before his injury.
## Panthers audition Austin Ekeler
Carolina is bringing in Austin Ekeler for a workout on Wednesday to bolster the running back room after Brooks' injury. The 31-year-old is a proven pass catcher coming off a solid 2024 season with Washington.
## Limited depth at running back
Beyond Hubbard, the Panthers have only AJ Dillon on the active roster, with Anthony Tyus III and Ahmani Marshall on the practice squad, making the Ekeler audition critical.
## Key takeaway

Jonathon Brooks, the 2024 first running back drafted, is sidelined again after core muscle surgery, leaving the Panthers to audition Austin Ekeler as a potential replacement.