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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The Carolina Panthers cut a player on Tuesday who made a crucial mistake in Sunday’s season-opening loss to the Chicago Bears.
Wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. was the starting kick and punt returner in the Sept. 13 opener, filling in for the injured Trevor Etienne.
With the game tied 21-21 in the second quarter, Horn was back deep to return Chicago’s first punt of the day after the Panthers’ defense forced a three-and-out. Horn waved for a fair catch but lunged forward and had the football slip through his arms. Chicago recovered the loose ball and kicked a field goal a few plays later.
Horn had another close call later in the game where he nearly fumbled but was ruled down.
Two days later, the Panthers confirmed the second-year wide receiver was cut — just over a year after they chose him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft. In a subsequent move, linebacker Tyrel Dodson was brought up from the practice squad.
With Horn now gone, the Panthers’ unofficial depth chart listed fellow receiver John Metchie III as Carolina’s primary returner. That role figures to return to the injured Etienne once he is healthy.
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In 12 games with the Panthers, Horn caught only 11 passes for 108 yards and no touchdowns. He did run the ball eight times for 69 yards. His shining moment as a Panther came via a clutch fourth-down grab against the Dolphins to help lead Carolina to a furious comeback in Week 5 of the 2025 season.
Horn’s release leaves Carolina with five wide receivers on the roster — Metchie, Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette and Brycen Tremayne.
The Panthers will be back in action this Sunday, Sept. 20, when they travel to Atlanta to play the rival Falcons. That game is set for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Fox.
The Panthers cut wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. after a crucial fumble against the Bears.(Jacob Kupferman | AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)Click here for more Panthers coverage
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