Jimmy

Horn

Carolina waived Horn Jr. earlier this week after he muffed a punt in Week 1. NFL insider Jordan Schultz was first on this news, though he didn’t note whether Horn Jr. will be joining the Browns’ active roster or practice squad. We suspect the latter.

Horn, a 2025 sixth-round pick, played 14 offensive snaps in Week 1 and did not catch his only target. He also muffed a punt. The Panthers never really found a way to use him and Jalen Coker at the same time since they’ve been committed to Xavier Legette. Horn will look to catch on elsewhere.

Horn often played the shifty, speed receiver role for the Panthers — he was actually used fairly often in Weeks 5-7 before Jalen Coker returned. The rookie wideout dropped the final ball Bryce Young threw in this game, but figures to challenge for a roster spot in 2026 and could eventually bump up against Xavier Legette’s role once the Panthers get tired of watching Legette targets.

Horn was an undrafted free agent from Prime University aka Colorado, and the 23-year-old did see more involvement in the offense than anticipated. Not enough to make him relevant in fantasy formats, but enough to suggest he could be a part of the offense in 2026. Horn will compete for slot reps with the Panthers this summer, but will hope the Falcons beat the Saints so they can play at least one postseason game next week.

Horn was hurt midway through the second quarter when he was tackled on a designed screen. The rookie has been getting more touches in recent weeks and would finish this game with two runs for nine yards, both of those were screen passes behind the line of scrimmage.

Horn had 34 yards on a Cover-2 hole shot by Bryce Young — perhaps his best throw of the game, though Horn did have to work his way to the ball. He’s worked his way into the Carolina receiving rotation, but this is still a pretty split room with Mitchell Evans, Hunter Renfrow, and Brycen Tremayne all seeing plenty of snaps. Horn has shown enough to get on the dynasty radar but we’re in no rush to start him in most fantasy leagues.

Rookie sixth-rounder Jimmy Horn — you may remember him as Travis Hunter’s Colorado teammate — will get a chance to ply his trade in Moore’s absence, with Dave Canales saying he wants to “make sure he’s able to go out there and give us significant reps. We’ll carve out a role because there’s certainly things he can bring to our offense with his speed and ability to carry the ball and make yards.” Horn could make an interesting pickup in deeper leagues right now with Hunter Renfrow not exactly blossoming last week.

Person relayed that head coach Dave Canales thinks the competition for the last couple spots on the depth chart will be “very difficult”. With Adam Thielen, Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette locks for the roster, sixth-rounder Jimmy Horn Jr., 2024 UDFA Jalen Coker and veteran Hunter Renfrow are among those in the mix to fill out the rest of the group. Horn could be the team’s punt returner while Coker posted 478 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie last season. Renfrow was a 2021 Pro-Bowler, but did not play last season. It is notable that Canales seems to think the competition is fierce and Carolina’s depth chart is one to keep an eye on, given Thielen will be 35 years old soon.

Hammys do tend to linger, so it makes sense for the Panthers to exercise caution with their rookie sixth-round pick. It’s not an auspicious sign for his chances of making the roster that Horn isn’t practicing during OTAs, but it’s also not immediately disqualifying. No timetable for recovery was given by Canales but we’d expect Horn to be available for training camp.

The Panthers officially bring their X-wide receiver into the fold via a $27.93 million deal. McMillan should immediately compete for the team lead in targets and should produce fantasy-friendly results in year one. The Panthers also signed third-round OLB Princely Umanmielen, fourth-round S Lathan Ransom, fifth-round DT Cam Jackson, fifth-round TE Mitchell Evans and sixth-round WR Jimmy Horn Jr.. Dynasty managers should take note of Horn, who could eventually work his way into three-wide receiver sets.