Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn suffered a non-contact hamstring injury in the Week 1 game against the Atlanta Falcons. The injury occurred in the second quarter and forced Horn to leave the game. Initially listed as doubtful, his status was later changed to out, indicating that he would not be returning for the remainder of the game.
Horn’s injury is a setback for the Panthers, as the young cornerback has already faced multiple injury challenges in his career. In his rookie season in 2021, he suffered a fractured foot that limited him to just three games. In the following season, he missed four games due to a broken wrist and rib strain. Even in the offseason leading up to the 2023 season, Horn dealt with ankle and foot issues that caused him to miss significant time.
The timing of Horn’s injury is particularly concerning because another Panthers player, wide receiver DJ Chark, was also dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out of the Week 1 game. This suggests that hamstring injuries could be a lingering issue for Horn and may require careful management to avoid further complications.
In terms of contract details, Jaycee Horn signed a four-year, $21.11 million contract with the Carolina Panthers in June 2021. The deal included a $12,714,288 signing bonus, $21,112,146 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $5,278,037. In his relatively short career in the NFL, Horn has already earned $17,573,217 in career earnings.
For the 2023 season, Horn is set to earn a base salary of $940,000 and a roster bonus of $1,639,286. His cap hit for the season is $5,757,858, and he has a dead cap value of $12,475,359. These figures highlight the financial investment that the Panthers have made in Horn and the potential impact his absence could have on the team.
The Panthers selected Horn in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, recognizing his talent and potential as a cornerback. However, injuries have limited his playing time, and he has only featured in 16 games prior to the Week 1 clash against the Falcons. The team will be hoping that Horn can overcome his injury setback and contribute significantly to their defense moving forward.
Overall, Jaycee Horn’s injury is a blow to the Carolina Panthers, both in terms of his on-field performance and the financial investment the team has made in him. The cornerback’s history of injury setbacks raises concerns about his durability and ability to stay healthy for a full season. The Panthers will need to closely monitor Horn’s situation and make any necessary adjustments to their defensive plans.
