Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn is set to miss the rest of OTAs and minicamp with a left ankle injury. Horn suffered the injury working out and was examined by Dr. Robert Anderson. He’s expected to fully recover by the start of training camp, as he’ll be in a walking boot for a few weeks.
“Obviously, I can’t control some of the injuries I had. That’s nobody’s fault, here or there,” Horn recently told The Athletic a week ago. “I’ve got to be available, be on the field, and goals like that — that stuff will take care of itself with playing good football.”
Carolina Panthers Options Without Jaycee Horn
Injury Prone?
Injuries aren’t anything new for the third-year cornerback, with this being his fourth career injury. He ended his rookie season early in 2021 with a fractured right foot in Week 3. In 2022, he suffered two injuries; a minor rib sprain in Week 5 and a broken wrist in Week 17. Horn only missed two games with the rib injury, but never came back from the wrist injury. With Horn sidelined, the Panthers season was all but over as he missed a pivotal Week 17 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the NFC South up for grabs. Due in large part to his absence, Mike Evans scorched the Panthers secondary for 207 yards and three touchdowns.
“None of that stuff ever bothered me because I’m the one out there trying to get it done. It’s just been unfortunate injuries,” Horn said on previous injuries. “It’s been all bone breaks, no soft tissue or anything. Just cracked bones. I can’t control that, man. All I can do is try to play some good football when I’m out there and try to take all the precautionary measures to stay on the field. Outside of that, it’s in God’s hands.”
Now with what seems like a major ankle injury, the question of Jaycee Horn becoming prone to injury is looming large. Even with a full recovery, Horn’s ankle will be a talking point throughout the season to see if it holds up for 17 games.
When on the field, Horn is a difference maker as he’s become a shutdown corner very quickly in the league. In 13 games played in 2022, Horn only allowed 33 completions for 429 yards. He also racked up three interceptions and seven pass deflections.
Geno Smith throws a pick to Jaycee Horn. A couple of stud CBs in this game with Tariq Woolen on the other side.pic.twitter.com/XSALJRqZyv
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 11, 2022
Lack of Depth Without a Star
Without Jaycee Horn on the field for OTAs and minicamp, the Panthers secondary becomes a glaring weakness. The cornerback starters are Donte Jackson, CJ Henderson, and Keith Taylor. Jackson is coming off an Achilles injury in 2022 and has also struggled to stay on the field. Henderson has had a tough time proving himself in the NFL after being the ninth overall pick in 2020. The Panthers acquired him from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a third-round pick in 2021. Since joining the Panthers, he failed to earn a starting spot and gave up 684 yards in 2022. Carolina announced they wouldn’t pick up his fifth-year option this offseason.
Along with Henderson, Taylor is an unproven corner that hasn’t made a name for himself in the NFL yet. With more reps in OTAs and minicamp, it gives Henderson and Taylor the to prove themselves or for Carolina to realize they need to sign a cornerback.
Free agents available include Casey Hayward, Bradley Roby, Marcus Peters, Ronald Darby, and Troy Hill.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon – USA Today Sports
