The Carolina Panthers are making strides in their recovery efforts as they designated cornerback Michael Jackson and running back Jonathon Brooks to return from injured reserve on Wednesday. This move allows both players 21 days to practice with the team before they must be activated to the 53-man roster or revert to season-ending IR. Michael Jackson, 29, has been sidelined since late September after undergoing groin surgery. He has been a full-time starter since joining the Panthers from the Seahawks in a trade during the 2024 preseason, where he notably led the NFL with 19 passes defensed last season. However, his performance this year has seen a significant decline, as he recorded neither an interception nor a pass defensed over 149 defensive snaps before his injury.

Jonathon Brooks, 23, also returns after being placed on IR on September 23 due to a groin injury that required core-muscle surgery. The Panthers selected Brooks as the first running back in the 2024 draft, going 46th overall, but injuries have plagued his career, limiting him to just five games over three seasons. He previously suffered a torn ACL in his final year at Texas and again in his rookie season, which sidelined him for the entirety of the 2025 season. In the two games he played this year, he managed nine carries for 30 yards.S1

In addition to Jackson and Brooks, wide receiver Xavier Legette has also returned to practice after recovering from a knee injury sustained in Week 2, where he recorded two catches for 64 yards before his injury. The Panthers, currently at 3-5, are in need of reinforcements as they fight for a chance at the NFC South crown, especially with cornerback Jaycee Horn still recovering from a torn quad and not expected to return until December. The Panthers have already brought back two players from injured reserve this season and have two more opportunities to do so, including offensive lineman Brady Christensen, who was recently designated for return.S2