Panthers Beat Jaguars 34-17: Jonathon Brooks Scores in ACL Return

Carolina beat Jacksonville 34-17 in Week 2 of the preseason, and the number that matters most isn't on the scoreboard. Jonathon Brooks got real touches and a rushing touchdown in his continued return from a second torn ACL — a clear step up from his cautious Week 1 debut — in a game that also settled very little at backup quarterback for either team.

Jonathon Brooks got real touches and scored in his continued return from a second ACL tear

Brooks carried five times for 18 yards and a touchdown — modest volume, but the progression is what matters. His Week 1 debut was just 10 cautious snaps, an early test of whether the knee could take real contact rather than a real workload; this game he got actual touches and punched one in from a yard out. Nothing here says he's back to his pre-injury form, but a healthy back getting live goal-line work is exactly the kind of trajectory you want to see from a player coming off two ACL tears.

John Metchie III was Carolina's clear top target, and Bryce Young's cameo was clean

Metchie led every receiver on the field with seven targets, turning them into six catches for 77 yards — clearly the passing game's first read regardless of who was throwing. Bryce Young's own appearance was brief and efficient: 5 of 6 for 49 yards, a 100.7 rating, exactly what you want from a starter's preseason cameo. Behind him, Kenny Pickett got the extended run (15 of 25, 137 yards, a touchdown, 88.2 rating) while Kyle Trask went a perfect 4 of 4 for 52 yards and a touchdown, a 158.3 rating on a tiny sample.

Joey Aguilar was the most efficient quarterback on the field

In relief for Jacksonville, Aguilar went 9 of 10 for 130 yards and a touchdown, a 152.1 rating that topped every other quarterback in the game. Nick Mullens was similarly sharp (6 of 7, 65 yards, 105.4 rating) while Carter Bradley struggled with an interception and a 24.8 rating.

Ameer Abdullah had the most well-rounded day for Jacksonville, leading the team with six carries for 45 yards while adding three catches for 37 yards — real work as both a runner and a receiver.

What to do with this

Jonathon Brooks' health is the single most important storyline in this game for real dynasty and best ball value, and it's trending in the right direction. Check the rookie rankings to see where Brooks currently sits, and run Carolina's crowded QB room through the mock draft simulator if you're trying to figure out how the Pickett-Trask competition should affect your board. Full box score: ESPN.