Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn sustained a torn quad during the fourth quarter of Sunday‘s 21-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns, sources told NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Horn is headed for injured reserve and could miss the rest of the 2026 season, sources told Rapoport. Sources told ESPN‘s Jeremy Fowler that Horn could miss six to 12 weeks. Panthers coach Dave Canales told reporters that the team is seeking additional opinions for what he called a significant quad injury. Canales said placing Horn on injured reserve was likely but that he didn’t want to say definitively at this point.
Horn was injured on the game-winning touchdown throw by Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. with 1:48 to play. Horn was seen on the ground in the end zone near the Browns’ sideline following the play. He was checked out by trainers, who then assisted Horn off the field. ‘We’re going to have to evaluate that and see where he’s at,’ Canales said. ‘But he was not going to be coming back in.’ Horn addressed the injury in an Instagram story Monday, writing that he was ‘sorry to let y’all down.’ ‘Injuries have held me back from reaching my full potential for too long, and that s— hurts deep down to my core more than words could explain,’ Horn wrote. ‘I’ve been tested before, and I’ll keep answering the same way.’
The injury news was better for wide receiver Jalen Coker. A source told Rapoport that Coker suffered a minor quad strain against the Browns and will be considered questionable for ‘Sunday Night Football’ against the Detroit Lions. Coker, who also had been dealing with an ankle injury, played throughout the first half before ultimately leaving the game. He has 18 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns this season. Starting cornerback Mike Jackson injured his groin in the first half and was replaced by special teams ace Akayleb Evans throughout the second half. Horn was replaced by rookie Will Lee, the team’s third cornerback in the positional pecking order, after he was helped off the field. The Panthers also have longtime nickel cornerback Chau Smith-Wade on the roster. Corey Thornton, who played quite a bit last season, is on the practice squad.
Carolina also played Sunday without linebacker Devin Lloyd, who had been ruled out with a calf injury a week after recording two interceptions and scoring a touchdown during a win over the Atlanta Falcons. Canales said he was confident that Lloyd would return against the Lions. The Panthers have a bye in Week 5.
