CHARLOTTE— Early Monday morning, just 12 hours after the Carolina Panthers had arrived back in Charlotte from a road trip to face the Eagles, former Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis tracked down rookie running back Jonathon Brooks.
On paper, the two have little in common. They represent different positions on different sides of the ball, from different colleges and different generations of players. But other than donning the black and blue, they share another similarity, a unique part of their story that other teammates can't always identify with and understand the complexities of.
Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia, Brooks tore the ACL in his right knee, just a year and 27 days after he tore the same ACL in his final year at Texas.
That triggered an immediate circling around him. Dave Canales and teammates spent Monday surrounding their rookie back, offering comfort where possible and support for the process ahead. As genuine as those well wishes were, few have been in Brooks' shoes, able to understand the physical and mental pain associated with thinking you're back from one of the hardest rehab processes in the sport, only to have to stare it down once again.
Thomas Davis understands.
The longtime linebacker tore the ACL in the same knee three times...in three consecutive years.
The first was during the 2009 season, in early November. The second was in 2010, on the second day of minicamp, when "I was doing things that I probably shouldn't have been doing at that point without a knee brace on," Davis recalled this week. The third time was during the Week 2 game of the 2011 season.
Three times in 23 months.
"Physically, it wasn't too terrible," Davis admitted, "but mentally, it was really tough."
It's why Davis knows, perhaps better than anyone in the building, what Brooks is going through. And it's why he sought the rookie out early Monday morning.
"Just offered words of encouragement," Davis said of the conversation, "and reassured him during this process that I would be there with him every step of the way, any questions that he had, anything that he needed to lean on me, I'm here for him."
The two are/were in slightly different places in their career. After Davis tore his ACL the second time, he was in his sixth year and seriously considered retiring. But "there was one person that absolutely believed in me that I could do it. He told me that if I was willing to put myself through it, he would give me a chance. And that was (former Panthers owner Jerry) Mr. Richardson, and that was all I needed to hear in that moment."
But Davis didn't just come back, he came back better than before. All three of his Pro Bowl appearances came after the three torn ACLs, proof that it can not only be done, but done at a high level.
Brooks is a rookie, and while he—at best—might not be back on the field till the back half of the 2025 season and possibly not till his third year in 2026, the second-rounder still has a lot of career in front of him.
So, the ACL brothers talked about the timeline, the surgery options, the benefits of a knee brace in the future, and most importantly, how to approach this long road the second time. Brooks has been through rehab recently, so he knows what to do from that standpoint, as Dave Canales pointed out Monday.
"He knows how to do this, he'll be able to attack it, and his focus is just going to shift in terms of what he's competing for," Canales said.
The Panthers were patient with Brooks and his rehab the first time, waiting a full calendar year before putting him back on the field. Davis knows, better than anyone, to follow that timeline again as much as possible, something he learned the hard way and relayed to Brooks.
"Absolutely," Davis answered immediately when asked if someone in this position has to be protected from themselves. "You absolutely do. And that was one of the things that I didn't understand."
While competing in Combine drills that kicked off the Panthers minicamp in 2010, Davis ran a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash. He was six and a half months removed from the first ACL tear.
"After I did the first time, they were like, OK, he's healthy, and then we started to pick up some of the drill work," Davis recalled, "and it was too soon to be able to do the twisting and turning that you do on the knee."
Davis worked that offseason to return in time for the beginning of the 2011 season, which he did. Two weeks into that season, he tore the ACL again in a game, starting the cycle again.
He couldn't participate in most off-season activities the next year while rehabbing, returning just in time for training camp for the 2012 season. That season, he started 12 games, playing in 15 and accumulating 105 total tackles, nine for loss, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and three passes defended.
The following season, 2013, his first full season following his first full offseason since 2009, Davis posted career highs in tackles (123), interceptions (two) and passes defended (seven), plus four sacks.
"I just feel like it was written, like it was part of my story for me to be the first guy to ever do that," Davis said this week, with the type of contemplation that only comes with time. "It just made my legacy what it has become. And I didn't understand that at the time, I was going through the 'Why me?' phase on why is this happening to me? Like, what have I done so bad that I deserve for this to happen to me? But, at the end of the day, it's just one of those things where you just got to go through it."
Davis became the first player in NFL history to return from three consecutive ACL tears. When he did it, the idea was unheard of. But seeing what could happen when a team trusted a player to still be who he was previous injury allowed other players the same chance.
When Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas suffered the same injury for a third time, New York looked to Carolina and Davis for a blueprint. Thomas played all 16 games his first season back after the third tear, totaling 67 tackles and an interception.
"So, you know, I just feel like that's me having the opportunity to do that, which allowed other teams to know that you don't have to give up on a player that's going through this," Davis said. "So, that was one of the things that was truly special to me above anything else because it opened doors for other players in the future."
The next player to benefit from Davis' example can be Brooks. While this is a second tear—and the prayer being there is never a third—the path of attack, both physical and mental, is there for Brooks to follow. And luckily for the rookie, he has the man who laid it there to guide him along the way.
A man who has done it, and has already reached out to offer the support that not many can offer.
"I know JB, he's hurting right now. You never want to be—in particular in your rookie year in the NFL—you never want to be a guy who gets looked upon as someone who can't stay healthy. But at the end of the day, he has to understand and realize that that injury takes time, and you can't rush it," Davis offered.
"You just got to allow your body to heal, and along the way, you can do things to help the process. And that's what I'm going to be there to try to help him do."
Carolina is 5-11 all-time against Dallas, winning the last two in the series.
Carolina Panthers play against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
Dallas Cowboys qurterback Troy Aikman is sacked by Panthers' Les Miller (69) during first half action in their NFL Divisional playoff at Charlotte's Ericsson Stadium Sunday Jan. 5, 1997. Carolina defeated Dallas 26-17. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo (9) scrambles as Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis (58) defends during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers play against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) is grabbed by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter (54) during an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
Carolina Panthers play against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Steve Beuerlein (7) sends a pass downfield during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Oct. 11, 1998, in Irving, Texas. Beuerlein, the Panthers back up quarterback, started the game after quarterback Kerry Collins benched himself on Wednesday. Collins did not make the trip to Texas. In the background is Cowboys tackle Leon Lett (78) and defensive end Kavika Pittman (97). (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)
Carolina Panthers tight end Dante Rosario (88) during an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ralph Lauer)
Carolina Panthers play against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, November 26, 2015.
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) is tackled during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) hands the ball off to Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones (28) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte.(AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) works against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) celebrates a touchdown with teammates against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Rod Smart (32) hurdles Dallas Cowboys' Michael Bates (29) during the third quarter at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Louis Murphy (83) runs after making a catch against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ernie Mills (85) pulls in a pass in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers for 29 yards Sunday afternoon, Oct. 11, 1998, in Irving, Texas. Defending for Carolina is safety Brent Alexander (46). Dallas won 27-20. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs up field against Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) works against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. The Cowboys won 19-14. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) bobbles a touchdown pass as Carolina Panthers defensive back Josh Thomas (22) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. There was no touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The Dallas Cowboys are seen at the line of scrimmage against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C.(AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) is carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Cowboys' Terrell Owens (81) reaches for a pass as Carolina Panthers' Ken Lucas (21) defends during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) holds onto the ball as Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason jumps over him during an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ralph Lauer)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) tries to run past Dallas Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins (21) during an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ralph Lauer)
Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones(28) is tackled during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) reacts after a touchdown catch during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ralph Lauer)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) runs past Dallas Cowboys' Keith Davis (29) and Terence Newman (41) during the fourth quarter of the Cowboys' 20-13 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) looks to throw a pass during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
Dallas Cowboys' Patrick Crayton (84) runs past Carolina Panthers' Richard Marshall (31) and Jon Beason (52) during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Dallas Cowboys' Richie Anderson (20) is up-ended by Carolina Panthers' Will Witherspoon (54) in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 29-10 win at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
FILE Carolina Panthers running back Stephen Davis carries the ball during the NFC Wild Card game against the Dallas Cowboys in this Jan. 3, 2004 file photo, in Charlotte, N.C. Former Pro Bowl running back Stephen Davis agreed to a contract with St. Louis on Friday after playing last season with Carolina. The Rams plan to use him as a backup to Steven Jackson. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Cowboys' Terrell Owens (81) pulls away from Carolina Panthers' Richard Marshall (31) as Owens runs for a touchdown after a catch during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox, center, is dunked by his players after the Panthers defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 29-10, at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Cowboy quarterback Troy Aikman is knocked down by Carolina Panther Lamar Lathon during the 3rd quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game played at Ericsson Stadium, in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Jan. 5, 1997.(AP Photo/Doug Mills)
Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox, center, congratulates defensive end Julius Peppers (90) after Peppers' interception in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 29-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday Jan. 3, 2004. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kevin Dyson tries to stay inbounds during the NFC Wild Card game against the Dallas Cowboys in this Jan. 3, 2004, in Charlotte, N.C(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Carolina Panthers tight end Wesley Walls (85) cries out in celebration of the Panthers 26-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Jan. 5, 1997 during the NFC Divisional Playoff. (AP Photo Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers runningback Anthony Johnson (23) carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoff in Charlotte, N.C. Sunday Jan. 5, 1997. The Panthers won 26-17. (AP Photo/Peter Harris)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) breaks away from dallas Cowboys' Roy Williams for a 70-yard gain in the first quarter at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday Jan. 3, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panther running back Anthony Johnson (23), runs the ball as Dallas Cowboy's Shante Carver (96), and Panther Howard Griffith (30) look on during the third quarter of te NFC Divisional Playoff game played at Ericsson Stadium, in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Jan. 5, 1997.(AP Photo/Peter A. Harris)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman walks off the field at Texas Stadium, Monday night, Dec. 8, 1997, in Irving, Texas, after the Cowboys lost to the Carolina Panthers 23-13. ( AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Cowboys Michael Irvin sits in pain after injuring his shoulder in the first quarter against the Panthers in their NFL Divisional playoff at Charlotte's Ericsson Stadium Sunday Jan. 5, 1997. 1997(AP Photo/Doug Mills)
