3:52pm: Ekeler’s workout went well, but he will not sign with the Panthers today, a league source told Mike Kaye of ESPN. It’s unknown if Ekeler has set up any other visits around the league.

8:09am: The Panthers will go at least six weeks without running back Jonathon Brooks, who is expected to have surgery to repair a core-muscle injury on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Brooks will land on IR.

Now thin in the backfield behind Chuba Hubbard, the Panthers will work out free agent Austin Ekeler on Wednesday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Ekeler is a little over a year removed from tearing his Achilles on Sept. 11, 2025, as a member of the Commanders. The 31-year-old received medical clearance back in April.

Brooks became the first running back off the board when the Panthers chose him 46th overall in 2024, but injuries have prevented him from contributing. Carolina spent a high pick on Brooks despite the fact that he tore his right ACL in his last year at Texas. Brooks didn’t come off the NFI list until November of his rookie season, and he totaled just nine carries over three games before tearing the same ACL again. He missed all of last season, and in two games this year, Brooks has picked up 30 yards on nine carries.

Brooks will become the second Panthers RB to go on IR, joining Trevor Etienne. The Panthers designated Etienne to return when they assembled their initial 53-man roster on Aug. 30. With Hubbard and AJ Dillon now the only healthy backs on its roster, Carolina will host the accomplished Ekeler.

While Ekeler spent the previous two seasons in Washington, he is better known for a Chargers stint that spanned from 2017-23. Ekeler has never rushed for 1,000 yards in a season, but the dual threat racked up 1,400-plus yards from scrimmage three times, caught 70-plus passes on three occasions and scored 15 or more touchdowns twice with Los Angeles. He recorded a career-high 20 scores in 2021.

Ekeler somehow never earned an All-Pro selection or a Pro Bowl nod as a Charger, though he garnered a second-team All-Pro selection as a kick returner with Washington in 2024. He also rushed for 367 yards on 4.8 per carry and caught 35 passes for another 366 yards that year.

In addition to backup RB duties, Ekeler could factor in as a return man in Carolina. In Etienne’s absence, the team has turned to receivers Jimmy Horn, John Metchie, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker to take back kicks and/or punts. The Panthers cut Horn after he muffed a punt in a Week 1 loss to the Bears. He is now on the Browns’ practice squad.