Jaycee

Horn

Horn had a down year in 2024, with a career-low 57.9 PFF coverage grade, but everyone suffered as the Panthers failed to bring in the Jimmys and Joes to run Ejiro Evero’s Xs and Os. Horn did play more than 800 snaps for the first time in his career. The 2021 first-round pick is under contract for next season via his fifth-year option. Negotiating with him early in the offseason to lower his $12.4 million cap figure would likely get the Panthers some more space for free agency.

Horn, battling a lingering hip injury, will miss yet another game to finish out the 2024 season. He’ll finish the season with one interception and 13 passes defended in a Carolina secondary that ranked among the league’s worst throughout the year. Hunt being out is a major blow for the Panthers, facing an improving Atlanta pass rush.

The Panthers are limping to the finish lined with banged-up defense. Horn was listed as doubtful because of a hip issue, so his absence isn’t a surprise. Baker Mayfield should have no issues piling up counting stats versus Carolina to close out the fantasy season.

Horn was a DNP all week and seems highly unlikely to play despite a doubtful tag that leaves an ounce of optimism. Horn played through a groin injury last week, but this week’s hip injury is likely going to prove too much to play through. In addition to Horn, OT Taylor Moton (knee) is also doubtful, while linebacker Josey Jewell (concussion/quad) and cornerback Chau Smith-Wade (illness/chest) have both been ruled out.

Horn suffered the groin injury in the Panthers’ Week 14 loss to the Eagles. He was limited in all three practices this week before drawing the questionable tag. Carolina’s top corner has 12 pass breakups and one interception this year.

He came up hurt after tackling DeVonta Smith inside the 10 and immediately wheeled into the locker room. It has the look of an injury that could keep him out for multiple weeks or possibly send him to season-ending IR. Dane Jackson replaced Horn.

Horn is reportedly dealing with a calf injury and was limited in practice on Wednesday due to the injury. Horn presumably went into the Panthers’ Week 11 bye at full health, so it’s possible this is a minor injury he suffered during the team’s bye week. Barring any setbacks, it sounds like the team is expecting to see him in this week’s game against the Chiefs.

Hubbard, in the final year of his rookie contract, has started all eight games for the Panthers so far and found his way into elite workload. It seemed like there would be plenty of incentive to move on if the Panthers were turning the backfield over to Jonathan Brooks, but they are “not having a fire sale.” OK. Hubbard remains a RB2 candidate until the long-rumored Brooks takeover comes. Horn has not played outstanding football this year but his 69.3 PFF coverage grade indicates he’s still been better than most.

Horn has missed more games than he has played in after the Panthers selected him No. 8 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, appearing in just 22 games while missing 29. He reportedly added more weightlifting to his offseason routine, saying Monday, “Just trying to switch something up and start from ground zero and build my body back up.” Horn added, “I know what I’m capable of, and I still feel like I’m one of the best DBs in this league. I’ve just got to be out there to show it. So, that’s what I’m looking forward to doing.” Horn will play the 2024 season on the fourth year of his five-year rookie deal after the team exercised his fifth-year option in April.

This was far from a guarantee because of Horn’s injury history, but he is still only 24 years old and the cellar-dwelling Panthers can’t afford to be throwing in the towel on young talent. It is looking increasingly less likely Horn ever lives up to his No. 8 overall pedigree, but he continues to make a visible impact and earn strong Pro Football Focus coverage marks when on the field.