Jonathon Brooks on his special preseason touchdown

“I missed that block, and that’s unfortunate, but it happens, and you just got to bounce back and throw it in the past, and just be better for the next time,” said Brooks. “I definitely tried to hone in and be more efficient with my technique,” he laughed, of not missing the next block.

The Panthers are going to lean on Brooks a lot this coming season, his unique combination of size, speed, and vision on the edges making him a special piece. So this preseason is about him working through the kinks that come from being sidelined for almost two years, letting him make those mistakes and fix them quickly.

“It’s the rhythm of all the special stuff that he brings, that happens when he’s down the field and when he can break tackles, when he can find his legs again,” explained coach Dave Canales. “To see him running aggressively was so important for me and I’m glad he’s had these opportunities.”