Jonathon Brooks is finally ready to return after missing all of 2025, giving Carolina another weapon alongside Chuba Hubbard against Chicago.

The Carolina Panthers are getting Jonathon Brooks back, and this time there won’t be a pitch count attached.

Head coach Dave Canales confirmed Friday that Brooks is off the injury report and will play without limitationsin Carolina’s season opener against the Chicago Bears. Brooks had been working through a groin injury during the final stages of preparation, but he’s now cleared for his first regular-season action since December 2024.

That makes Sunday a significant moment for the former Texas star.

MORE: Browns Lose Teven Jenkins, Turning to Rookie Austin Barber

Brooks tore the ACL in his right knee against Philadelphia on Dec. 8, 2024, his second ACL tear in roughly 13 months. The first occurred during his final college season at Texas in November 2023. Carolina later placed Brooks on the physically unable to perform list for the entire 2025 season while he continued his recovery.

Now, after more than 20 months away from a regular-season game, he’s back.

The Panthers selected Brooks with the 46th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, betting on the talent that made him one of the nation’s most productive backs before his first knee injury. During his final season at Texas, Brooks rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns despite playing only 10 games.

His NFL résumé remains extremely limited. Brooks appeared in just three games as a rookie, totaling nine carries before suffering the second ACL tear.

Carolina won’t need him to immediately carry the backfield.

Chuba Hubbard remains a major part of the Panthers’ rushing attack, giving Canales the opportunity to use Brooks as a complementary weapon rather than forcing him into an oversized workload. If Brooks can regain the explosiveness he showed at Texas, the combination could give Carolina much-needed flexibility on early downs and in the passing game.

The Panthers also received encouraging news on defense. Defensive tackle Bobby Brown III is expected to play after dealing with a back issue earlier in the week.

MORE: Tua Tagovailoa Ruled Out, Ex Cowboys QB Cooper Rush Gets Start vs. Steelers

Outside linebacker Patrick Jones II, however, has been ruled out because of a back injury.

Still, Brooks’ return will command most of the attention.

Carolina has spent nearly two years waiting to see what its 2024 second-round investment can become. Sunday against Chicago finally provides another chance to find out.