Panthers put rookie RB Jonathon Brooks on non-football injury list ahead of training camp

Jonathon Brooks will start his first NFL training camp on the sideline.

On Friday, the Carolina Panthers placed the team’s second-round pick on the active/non-football injury (NFI) list.

Brooks will still count toward the Panthers’ 90-man roster this summer and can be taken off the list at any point during training camp and the preseason. If he remains on the list beyond the cut-down deadline (4 p.m. Aug. 27), he will be moved to the reserve/non-football injury list and be forced to miss at least the first four games of the regular season.

Brooks, a rookie running back, tore his ACL last November while playing for the Texas Longhorns. The 6-foot, 216-pound playmaker, along with the rest of the team’s rookie class , reported to Bank of America Stadium on Friday for the start of training camp.

The Panthers traded up to the No. 46 overall pick in April’s draft to select Brooks after trading back from the No. 39 overall pick to the No. 53 overall pick. Carolina sent the 52nd, 142nd and 155th overall picks to the Indianapolis Colts to move up the board.

“We thought he was the best running back in the class,” General Manager Dan Morgan said in April . “The person, player, everything about him we really like. So really excited to get him.”

The Panthers were aware that Brooks’ injury would sideline him for a portion of the offseason. Brooks watched rookie minicamp , organized team activities and mandatory minicamp from the sideline as he recovered from knee surgery.

“I think any time you’re dealing with an injury like that we have to do our homework and have the full workup,” head coach Dave Canales said. “We had great help with that information to say we feel like this is a guy who is on track with this type of injury.”

Brooks, following his selection in the draft, told reporters that he expected to take part in training camp .

For now, though, Brooks will need to wait a least a little while before putting on pads and cleats. The 21-year-old said during the offseason program that he was using his time on the sideline to take on mental reps in practice and in meeting rooms.

“Just learn from (the veterans),” Brooks said . “Take all of the little stuff that people need to know about the game. ... There’s always stuff to prove, but for me, I just need to get healthy, learn the playbook and do what I need to do to just get healthy and get right for the season.”

During his three-year college career at Texas, Brooks produced 1,479 rushing yards, 335 receiving yards and 18 combined touchdowns.

With Brooks sidelined, the Panthers will test their depth with veterans Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard leading the way . Hubbard and Sanders are expected to compete for the top spot in the running back rotation throughout training camp.

Along with Hubbard and Sanders, the Panthers also have veterans Rashaad Penny, Mike Boone and Raheem Blackshear on the roster. Undrafted rookie Jaden Shirden will also get reps this summer.

Other veterans on injury lists heading into camp

The Panthers placed four others on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list ahead of training camp. They too can be activated at any time.

Among the group is veteran outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum, who was acquired this offseason from the Minnesota Vikings to help bolster the Panthers’ pass rush. Wonnum, coming off a quad injury, was present for mandatory sessions throughout the preseason, learning alongside fellow USC Gamecock-turned-Panther Jadeveon Clowney .

Offensive tackle Yosh Nijman, outside linebacker Amare Barno (knee) and rookie undrafted free agent wide receiver Jalen Coker are the others.

Veterans will report to camp Tuesday, and on-field work will begin Wednesday.

Alex Zietlow contributed to this report.