The Panthers let Rico Dowdle walk in free agency and replaced him only with AJ Dillon in what could be interpreted as a sign of confidence that Brooks could play a real role behind Chuba Hubbard in 2026. Trevor Etienne is the other main player in Carolina’s backup RB derby. Brooks has lost most of his NFL career to date to a pair of ACL tears and while we’re hopeful he can come back, he should be approached skeptically for fantasy football purposes.