Veteran running back Austin Ekeler worked out for the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday but is not expected to sign with the team immediately, according to ESPN's Mike Kaye. The workout reportedly went well, leaving open the possibility of a deal later in the season.
Carolina's need for backfield depth comes after Jonathon Brooks was placed on injured reserve following core muscle surgery. Panthers head coach Dave Canales revealed Brooks is expected to miss six to eight weeks. Second-year running back Trevor Etienne is also on injured reserve, making Chuba Hubbard and AJ Dillon the available running backs on Carolina's active roster.
Hubbard remains at the top of the depth chart and is expected to handle a workhorse role. Meanwhile, practice squad running back Anthony Tyus III is lined up for an elevation ahead of Sunday's Week 3 game against the Cleveland Browns. His expected contribution would primarily come on special teams, while Dillon could move into the RB2 role.
Tyus, 23, would make his NFL debut if he plays. The Michigan native attended Northwestern before transferring to Ohio University and went undrafted in 2025. During his final college season at Ohio, he accumulated 1,234 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He recorded a 4.59-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day.
Ekeler, meanwhile, brings nine years of NFL experience and has appeared in 117 games. He spent most of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers, racking up 6,742 all-purpose yards and 58 touchdowns from 2019-23 while averaging 5.6 yards per touch. He also exceeded 400 receiving yards in each of those five seasons.
After joining the Washington Commanders before the 2024 season, Ekeler suffered a torn Achilles in Week 2 of the 2025 campaign and missed the rest of the season. He was cleared for all football activities on April 30.
Though the Panthers aren't bringing Ekeler aboard at the moment, his successful workout keeps the possibility alive.