JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jonathon Brooks' touchdown in the Panthers' preseason game against Jacksonville might not have counted towards his career scoring stats. It won't be marked down in the NFL's annals of history, since preseason games aren't measured as historical records.

Brooks is aware of the fact, but when he took a handoff and ran in the 1-yard touchdown under the lights Friday night, none of those details mattered.

"I know it doesn't really count for the books," shrugged Brooks after the Panthers 34-17 win over the Jaguars, "But for me, it's everything.

"It's something that me and my father have talked about since I was younger and just to be able to get the first one, even though it doesn't count, just means a lot."

As has been well documented, Brooks suffered back-to-back ACL tears over the last three years. The first was in November 2023, during his final collegiate season at Texas. He took the field as a rookie in the NFL in 2024 and appeared in three games, with nine carries for 22 yards plus three receptions for 23 yards, before tearing it again in December of 2024.

After that, he was forced to sit on the sideline for over a year, recovering, waiting, wondering when he might ever get back into the end zone; or, for that matter, wondering when he might get into the end zone for the first time in the pros.

The answer was Friday night, in his second preseason appearance.

"I definitely think a lot of excitement," he smiled of the moment. "I think a lot of excitement because I followed God's plan and just to see it kind of unfold in front of my eyes, it's pretty amazing, just to know what faith can do for you as long as you stay steadfast and you know what happens whenever you keep your head down working and just trust in God and believe."

The score also counted for his teammates and coaches, those who have walked alongside him the past 20 months. The running back never left the building during his recovery, electing to do every bit of the work with the club that drafted him and the roster that embraced him. His touchdown run felt like a bit of an exhale for them as well.

"I was super happy for him," expressed quarterback Bryce Young. "The amount of work he's put in since he's been here, that I've been able to see it firsthand, it's — you can't even describe it. And also the attitude he's had while going through all the stuff he's had to.

"He's always been the first guy to celebrate everybody else's success. So, yeah, it was a really cool moment. I was super happy for him, and very not surprised, you know, he's a special guy, a special player. That work, it shows up on the field. So, glad he got his first."

Just like the path to get to Friday night's game and score, the drive to get to that play took some curves for Brooks, as short-lived as they might have been.

The Panthers' first possession ended in a punt because, on third down, Young was hit as he threw, targeting Brycen Tremayne for what would've been a first down. He was hit because Brooks missed a block in pass protection.

The subsequent drive, though, saw Tommy Tremble and Robert Hunt spring Brooks for a first-down run. The next play, the Jaguars sent a rusher again. Brooks picked it up this time, giving Young time to make a 15-yard throw to Tremble that moved the chains again.

"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."

Brooks' last touchdown was on November 11, 2023. But the second Brooks' feet passed the goal line, his customary celebration took over as instinct. He lifted his right arm, displaying a tattoo on his forearm that honors his father, who passed in March of 2022. He pointed to the tattoo, then made a heart with his hands and pointed it toward the sky.

Brooks and his father had dreamed of that moment for years, and there was no one else with whom he'd want to celebrate it.

"Just to give a sign to my father, because I want to show the world, I want him to live through me," shared Brooks. "The fact that he can't be here and I know he's looking down, I can just feel — like I vividly see him smiling every time I score. It's just amazing to know that he was there for me when he was.

"He was my biggest fan, and just to be able to give him that shine right there, it feels amazing for me."