Brooks Sits Out Third Straight Practice, Canales Stays Hopeful

Carolina running back Jonathon Brooks missed his third consecutive practice Monday with what the team described as general soreness, but coach Dave Canales said he remains hopeful Brooks will be available for Sunday's season opener against the Chicago Bears. Brooks worked off to the side with trainers while the rest of the Panthers went through a short, non-padded session.

"We have to just keep taking it one day at a time," Canales said. "He ran out there today. We'll see (where he is) and compare it to what he looked like before and we'll go from there." Canales had said last week he was "very optimistic" Brooks would play in Week 1. Brooks was not made available to reporters during Monday's open locker room session. international ice hockey betting odds

Brooks has appeared in just three of a possible 34 regular-season games since joining the Panthers, but the team continues to view him as a key complement to starter Chuba Hubbard if he can stay on the field. Carolina finished 19th in the NFL in rushing last season, averaging 116.3 yards per game, and will open against a Chicago defense that ranked 22nd against the run, allowing 134.5 yards per game.

Canales praised Brooks' explosiveness and what he called deceptive long-striding speed in space, particularly in the passing and screen game. Guard Damien Lewis echoed that assessment, saying Brooks' quickness through the hole eases the burden on Carolina's offensive line by shortening how long blockers must hold their assignments. The Panthers are expected to provide a clearer update on Brooks' status as the week progresses toward Sunday's opener.