Jonathon Brooks missed his third straight practice, sidelined by “general soreness,” and Panthers fans are holding their breath for Sunday’s season opener against the Chicago Bears. Despite the young running back’s continued absence, coach Dave Canales is still sounding off with hope he will be ready to roll. You gotta wonder, though, how much more can this guy miss before we all start seriously sweating?
The “One Day At A Time” Vibe Is Strong With This One
Look, we’ve all been there, right? That nagging “soreness” that just won’t quit. Brooks spent Monday working with trainers on the side while his teammates went through a non-padded practice. Canales, trying to stay positive, keeps saying they have to take it “one day at a time.” He even mentioned Brooks ran out there today, and they will “compare it to what he looked like before.” That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement that he’s 100%, is it? Just last week, Canales was “very optimistic” Brooks would be good to go for Week 1. Now, we’re doing comparisons and taking it day-by-day. What gives?
The bigger elephant in the room here is Brooks’s track record. The dude has missed a wild 31 of 34 regular-season games since joining the Panthers. Talk about a tough break! Yet, the team still thinks he’s got massive potential, believing he is the “perfect complement” to starter Chuba Hubbard, if, and this is a HUGE “if,” he can stay healthy. Last season, the Panthers’ rushing game finished 19th in the league, averaging 116.3 points per game. That’s not exactly tearing it up, and they are facing a Bears defense that gave up 134.5 yards per game last season, ranking 22nd. This team needs Brooks on the field.
The “Home Run Speed” That Could Change Everything
So, why are they so high on a guy who can’t seem to stay on the field? Canales isn’t shy about hyping up Brooks’s playmaking ability, talking about how he “makes plays in space down the field in the pass game, the screen game,” and has “home run speed.” Apparently, that speed is even deceiving. Canales says, “Once he sets an angle, all of a sudden you see people start turning and realize he’s moving a lot faster than you think he is because he’s such a smooth, long strider.” That sounds pretty special, doesn’t it?
Even Panthers guard Damien Lewis is pumped about Brooks’s impact. Lewis loves how Brooks “hits the hole fast,” making things easier on the offensive line because they don’t have to hold their blocks for ages. Lewis put it perfectly: “He’s really explosive. When he gets that ball, he sees the space, he gone. So, you know, I call him one play action.” High praise from a guy in the trenches who sees it firsthand. Brooks, however, wasn’t around to chat with reporters on Monday. Probably still working out that “soreness,” right?
The Panthers open their season this Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Getting Jonathon Brooks on the field would be a massive boost, a sign that the potential everyone keeps talking about might actually materialize. Let’s hope that “soreness” clears up fast, because this team needs all the “one play action” explosiveness they can get.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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