The running back situation....

[The Third Reich]

If Brooks is fully healed,and they think he is, then we should be better.  We upgraded center and Hunt will be back.  

At RB, Rico will turn 28 next month. Hubbard turns 27 next month.  Brooks turns 23 in July.  If Brooks pans out, he was a better college RB than either Rico or Chuba. He has not been taking a beating for 2 years--so if the knee holds, we could have something.   This is what it says about RB:

• Career Average: Running backs have the shortest average careers in the NFL, lasting just 2.57 years on average.
• The Peak: Most running backs reach their absolute peak performance around age 25 or 26, with nearly all peak seasons occurring before age 29.
• The "Age 28-29" Cliff: Statistical data shows a notable 15% to 25% drop in per-game fantasy and offensive production as backs transition from their age-28 to age-29 seasons. Very few running backs sustain elite production past age 30.

[strato]

I see them using Brooks in the passing game a good bit even early.  

[Johnstonny]

Hinging on Brooks to be our spark...be good if it happens... but not holding my breath....RB next draft. Morgan gambled...it would be a 2 year payoff if thing happened.

Edited Friday at 08:26 PM by Johnstonny

[strato]

I just saw this on YouTube   One of the top 2-3 wins and the most fun games to watch we have had in a while.  
Not only did Rico go off when handed off to…. there is a huge play by him as a pass receiver here. This  was definitely his best game of 2025.

I think when we went in on Brooks the tipping point was his receiving game. That is a thing Rico brought (great signing) and we will be fine if Brooks can make contributions that way. 
Too much yakking here is the clip  

 

 

 

Edited Monday at 10:07 PM by strato

[Jackie Lee]

 

[CanadianCat]

I mean people will probably not like this comparison... but Brooks looks like a (20lb lighter) version of JStew.. 

[strato]

okay I found this and it sounds like my hopes for the first surgery being not such a great job seems like it could be actual reality. 
I only hoped because that would give a better chance for recovery and ia a possible scenario so I just thought it could be possible. Had no real evidence of it. But I’ll be damned. 
 

This is a detailed report of Brooks’ surgery and the condition of his knee after the failed repair.  
 

https://x.com/jmthrivept/status/2055743129408704806?s=

Sparked by some very good questions by @CoachspeakIndex, here’s some info on Jonathon Brooks:

1. Speculation that the first graft/ACLR by Dr. Cooper didn’t “take” or at least was too lax, leading to failure and re-tear. Brooks dealt with issues cutting, progressing in his rehab into the early stages of 2024 and then re-tore it late 2024, requiring a second ACLR in January 2025 (essentially revision). Notably, CAR prolonged Brooks’ rehab process through Sept-Oct due to issues progressing into the next stages of rehab.

2. Second surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who has extensive experience with revisions. He did a double bundle technique, harvesting graft from Brooks’ left patellar tendon and a strip of his right IT Band (his right patellar tendon had been utilized for the prior graft in 2023. The double bundle technique significantly increases rotational stability of the knee, leading to a stronger and more secure graft/reconstruction. Also to note, Brooks’ surgery wasn’t significantly delayed, meaning that the tunnels from his prior ACLR were in good shape and they didn’t need to perform bone grafts to fill in (would have delayed 2nd surgery by 5-6 months). Essentially, reading the tea leaves tells me that everything else except for the graft itself was still in good quality within his knee. Good sign for future. 

3. Typically, you see a performance increase anywhere from 16-20 months post-revision. Brooks will be ~21 months out from his second surgery by the time Week 1 hits. His knee should be more stable and stronger this time around, with adequate time for healing and return to all movement patterns.
I’m not viewing this situation as a typical “Player __ had TWO ACL tears, he’s cooked” situation. Rather, I’m viewing it as the first procedure failed, but the second procedure is significantly stronger and should allow him to return to form this time around.

I don’t know why it posted as a link but there it is.  

Edited 3 hours ago by strato