What happened: Brooks exited Sunday's win early. Surgery to repair the core muscle injury is expected today, with a move to injured reserve to follow.

Why it matters: The injured-reserve move sidelines a backfield option through the middle of the 2026 regular season. Brooks had declared himself close to 100% in June after an extended recovery.

What to watch: Carolina must formalize the injured-reserve move. A return window opens after six weeks for a late-season contribution.