Dan Morgan is making another push for a veteran addition after the Panthers’ latest injury created a new position of need on offense
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is expected to miss six weeks after undergoing core surgery and general manager Dan Morgan is wasting no time to potentially address the need on offense.
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is expected to miss up to six weeks on the injured reserve after opting to undergo core muscle surgery to repair a groin injury that he reaggravated in the team’s Week 2 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Brooks returned to action this year from over a year absence after suffering a second torn ACL in 2024. It was an inspiring story of resilience for Brooks to see him back on the field again for the Panthers but this latest injury puts another bump in the road for the electric back. And the loss of Brooks also creates a need on offense for Carolina.
Which is why general manager Dan Morgan is already on the hunt for a new third-down pass catching back. According to Aaron Wilson, the first name the Panthers intend to look at is veteran running back Austin Ekeler, who will work out with the team later today.
Panthers will see what Austin Ekeler still has in the tank following Jonathon Brooks’ injury
Austin Ekeler is not the same player he once was with the Los Angeles Chargers, let’s get that out of the way first. During his prime, Ekeler was one of the most electric and dynamic weapons in the league. His speed was a real threat as a runner, returner, and receiver out of the backfield.
However, Ekeler is now 31-years-old and has multiple major injuries under his belt. If he indeed signs with the Panthers, it will mark the start of his 10th NFL season. The last time Ekeler played football was last season with the Washington Commanders, a year that was cut short at two games after suffering a torn Achilles. Ekeler is medically cleared to play, and the Panthers will look to see what he has left in the tank after that serious injury.
The Panthers shouldn’t expect to see the Ekeler everyone remembers from the Chargers. There’s a strong chance that elite-caliber burst no longer remains. However, Ekeler still has reliable hands (caught 40 of his 48 targets over the last two seasons) and a high football IQ that should allow him to quickly pick up the offense if he’s signed.
“I’m a plug-and-play guy,” Ekeler said in a recent radio interview. “I’ve been playing for so long, I’ve just put so much time into learning offenses and studying defenses, you can plug me in and I’m ready to go. If they call me and say ‘I need you to play tomorrow in the preseason,’ I can learn your offense on the plane ride over there. I’ll be ready to go.”
Dan Morgan’s last two veteran additions were huge hits, why not take a swing on Ekeler
Dan Morgan already made two similar veteran signings recently to sure up key positions after adding tight end Darren Waller and linebacker Bobby Okereke right before the season. Despite being last minute additions, both players quickly picked up the playbook and turned into valuable starters for this team through the first two games.
Waller is coming off a two-touchdown performance for the Panthers and has played 53 combined snaps so far this season on offense.
“He’s very decisive, a veteran player, so he understands leverage, and he and Bryce Young have spent a lot of time just kind of working on those things on Fridays before and after our team drills just to talk through, when I have this leverage, this is what it’s going to look like. That’s a great part of having a veteran guy like Darren and, of course, the size and speed,” head coach Dave Canales said.
As for Okereke, he’s formed a strong duo at the linebacker position with Devin Lloyd. Okereke has totaled 15 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble this season on 116 defensive snaps.
“I’m just thinking, ‘Dan’s got to be really feeling himself right now,’” Canales said. “…Bobby’s making his plays. Bobby could have had two interceptions. I was just sitting there just proud. The evaluation, Dan targeting guys that can really help us, and then watching it come alive in short order. I’m really proud to be a part of that process.”
The additions of Waller and Okereke quickly transformed two questionable positions into strengths for this team. Perhaps Ekeler could be the next veteran swing to spark the backfield alongside Chuba Hubbard and AJ Dillon after losing Brooks for the next month and a half.
