Carolina Panthers third-year running back Jonathon Brooks will appear in the first preseason game of his NFL career on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills. Following Wednesday's padded practice, head coach Dave Canales said Brooks would "absolutely" play in the exhibition matchup, which serves as the team's second preseason game of the summer. Brooks, returning from back-to-back ACL surgeries on his right knee, had never performed in an NFL training camp practice before July 23.

"He's in great shape; he's ready to rock -- he's ready to play football," Canales said. "He'll play with the first group. He'll mix in and out with Chuba [Hubbard], and we'll be able to get a good look at those guys with a couple of drives." Brooks played in three NFL games as a rookie before retearing his right ACL in 2024. The second-round pick's brief stretch was sandwiched between knee surgeries that sidelined him in each of his first two NFL offseasons.

Receiver Xavier Legette, working back from a stinger, is unlikely to play against the Bills, Canales added. Legette caught a "walk-off touchdown" to close Wednesday's practice but is not game-ready. Left guard Damien Lewis (calf), who returned to practice Wednesday, is also not expected to play.