Second-year wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. worked exceptionally hard to make the Carolina Panthers' 53-man roster. But his indifferent special-teams contribution in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears was the final straw for general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales.
To make room for veteran linebacker Tyrel Dodson, the Panthers waived Horn. He may return to the practice squad, but it's a blow to his hopes of carving out a successful NFL career.
And in all honesty, Horn only has himself to blame.
Jimmy Horn Jr. blew his chances to impose himself with the Carolina Panthers
The 2025 sixth-round pick muffed a punt at the worst possible time at Bank of America Stadium last weekend. Horn's confidence was shaken after that, and even though he made the team, being removed from the equation so quickly signaled he was on the shortest leash imaginable.
Now, Horn faces an uncertain future. So early in his professional journey, it's deeply disappointing.
The Panthers had high hopes for Horn when they took him at No. 208 overall in the 2025 draft. He was undersized but showed intriguing elusiveness and athleticism in college that could be molded into something more.
Sadly, he largely blew his rookie chances.
Horn struggled to create separation. Concentration lapses when targets came his way were an ongoing frustration. A massive summer awaited, but the player earned praise for fighting back and making the needed improvements.
Carolina Panthers could bring Jimmy Horn Jr. back onto the practice squad, but it won't be the same
This was enough for the Panthers to take him through. With running back Trevor Etienne on injured reserve, Horn became the starting kick and punt returner. After one mistake too many, he's now been made surplus to requirements.
A return to the practice squad would be a consolation prize for Horn. It's unlikely he's done enough to get claimed off waivers, but that's a wait-and-see scenario. If he does return, he needs to show even more resolve to force his way back into the team's plans.
Anything less, and it might not be much longer before Horn is out of the league entirely.
It's a sad state of affairs. Morgan gave Horn time, but something was missing. As a late Day 3 pick, cutting him was always possible. It's just happened a lot sooner than expected.
John Metchie III is now listed as Carolina's starting returner. He was a healthy scratch in Week 1, but the wideout has a strong previous connection to quarterback Bryce Young from their time together at Alabama.
And for now, Morgan and Canales believe this is the safest play.
The Panthers have higher expectations to meet this season. They cannot leave anything to chance, and those in power need to be ruthless with those who aren't reaching the levels expected.
Horn was a weak link they could no longer afford. And if he does get a reprieve on the practice squad, the Colorado product cannot waste it.
Add us as a preferred source on Google