The Carolina Panthers have made a roster move involving one of their young players just a day after a costly mistake in their season opener.
Horn’s role took a hit during Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears when he muffed a punt in the second quarter. The mistake eventually resulted in a field goal for Chicago.
The Panthers selected Horn in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he opened the season as the team’s primary returner on both kickoffs and punts. The 28-year-old has made 43 career starts and appeared in 92 games during stints with the Buffalo Bills, Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks. With Horn gone, Carolina’s 53-man roster now has five wide receivers: Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Brycen Tremayne and John Metchie III. Metchie was the only player from that group who was inactive as a healthy scratch in Week 1. Carolina’s initial Week 2 depth chart now lists Metchie as the player taking over Horn’s return responsibilities.
Carolina waived wide receiver and return specialist Jimmy Horn Jr, the team announced Tuesday. Dodson brings considerable NFL experience to the Panthers.
Horn’s departure creates space for linebacker Tyrel Dodson, a former Miami Dolphins starter who was promoted from Carolina’s practice squad after another team attempted to sign him, according to ESPN.
