The running back situation....

[PanthersNCSU]

Until Brooks does something, I don't like the current situation. I love Chuba the person, but I don't think he's a lead back until he shows more than last year and gets back to 2024 form. Etienne is unproven but maybe some hope there.

All in all, we have to have a successful run game for this offense to work. I don't feel great about the current status, but RB is the one position I feel like you can churn and ride a hot hand to get by. 

[rebelrouser]

Brooks is still not at 100%. I feel like he is going to have slow start and then break out next year, which is the last year of his rookie contract and we lose him in FA.  That would be the most Panthers thing ever. 

[Bear Hands]

The way I see it, we've got Chuba another year and Brooks spelling him/hopefully not getting injured.  Maybe Brooks surprises if healthy.  He was a very highly viewed RB for a reason.  

After seeing the limited Etienne snaps, he's clearly a rotational back on the lower percentage rate. I.E. how TB uses Sean Tucker.

So, unless something happens, Hubbard is getting bulk carriers, Brooks to spell/ease in, Etienne very situational.  

If Hubbard goes down, then we're relying on Brooks/Etienne, but at that point, you grab a guy off our PS or street at that point as RB3.  Not a huge deal IMO.  It's RB.  

 

 

 

[rmoneyg35]

I think people are sleeping on Etienne. His scouting report was that he was good at everything, no holes in his game, just that he wasn’t amazing at one thing. He’s also got the DNA in him and he’s always been on teams where he’s had to share reps with other good RBs so he’s never had monster numbers but if given the reps I think he could put them up. He could be a three down back cause he can do it all. He also doesn’t have much wear and tear on his body because of sharing reps. He’s only 21 right now so he’s also still young. If we have a decent offensive line then I think he could be our answer.

[Chief Keek]

That RB room doesn't look good. Hopefully, the O-line is dominant enough to overcome the lack of talent. There probably won't be any 200-yard games this season.

[Cpt slay a ho]

I’m not relying on brooks, not the biggest etienne fan either, should call the cards up about allgeier 

[theinstrumental]

Torn ACL’s aren’t multi-year recoveries anymore. Brooks looked good in the few games that he played last year, he’s crazy young, and he’s had a lot of time to recover and ramp up. I think he’ll be a good #2 next year and the RB room will be completely fine.

[SmokinwithWilly]

28 minutes ago, theinstrumental said:

Torn ACL’s aren’t multi-year recoveries anymore. Brooks looked good in the few games that he played last year, he’s crazy young, and he’s had a lot of time to recover and ramp up. I think he’ll be a good #2 next year and the RB room will be completely fine.

He had 9 rushes for 22 yards and 3 receptions for 23 yards in 3 games in 24. He barely touched the ball in any meaningful way. He didn't have any attempts last year. 

[UnluckyforSome]

9 hours ago, SmokinwithWilly said:

He had 9 rushes for 22 yards and 3 receptions for 23 yards in 3 games in 24. He barely touched the ball in any meaningful way. He didn't have any attempts last year. 

Yeah, I don't know in what world that counts as looking good.

Really, expecting and counting on any significant contribution from him is foolishness. 

[XClown1986]

I'd call the 49ers about Isaac Guerendo. Buried on the depth chart now that they have drafted Kaelon Black.

[theinstrumental]

8 hours ago, XClown1986 said:

I'd call the 49ers about Isaac Guerendo. Buried on the depth chart now that they have drafted Kaelon Black.

Trey Benson is also on the outside looking in. Really, we should be able to find a cheap back on the FA market after cut-downs if we feel like it’s still a weakness.

[theinstrumental]

18 hours ago, SmokinwithWilly said:

He had 9 rushes for 22 yards and 3 receptions for 23 yards in 3 games in 24. He barely touched the ball in any meaningful way. He didn't have any attempts last year. 

Yeah but one of those catches was nice.

[strato]

Brooks has a lot of talent. I doubt it is going disappear because he hasn’t gotten the reps.  
It depends on how close he comes back to pre injury form. And can he hold up.   
 

Of course everyone improves with experience and he is no different.  

Edited 6 hours ago by strato

[SmokinwithWilly]

1 hour ago, strato said:

Brooks has a lot of talent. I doubt it is going disappear because he hasn’t gotten the reps.  
It depends on how close he comes back to pre injury form. And can he hold up.   
 

Of course everyone improves with experience and he is no different.  

I don't have much of an opinion on whether he will be good or not. I just think it's a matter of will or won't his knee hold up after 2 tears. Simple as that.