The Carolina Panthers got a useful update on Jaycee Horn as they prepare for a Week 10 trip to New Orleans.
Horn has been on Injured Reserve since after Week 3 with a torn quad, and head coach Dave Canales said the defensive back is handling the recovery “one week at a time.” There had been concern Horn could be out for the rest of the season, but Canales said he and Dan Morgan will go over a timeline for a possible return. He added that Horn still has steps to clear before getting back on the field, while also noting that Horn is attacking his recovery aggressively.
That matters for a Panthers defense that has already felt the impact of missing him. With Horn and Jackson sidelined for weeks, Carolina’s pass defense has struggled. The problem got even bigger against Green Bay, when the Panthers were missing Horn, Jackson and other defensive backs against the Packers’ passing game.
Now the challenge shifts to Sunday’s matchup with the Saints, where Tyler Shough and New Orleans could test that secondary again in the dome. Carolina enters the game at 3-5, and the NFC South remains packed tight with all four teams sitting on three wins. The winner will leave Sunday with at least a share of first place, while the loser will fall behind at least one division rival.
The Panthers were 3-2 and in control of the division before dropping three straight, and injuries have been a major part of that slide on both sides of the ball. As they try to get healthier and make a push for the playoffs and the NFC South, getting Horn back would be a major lift.
Panthers and Saints kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday in New Orleans.
In Other News...
Panthers Injury Report Suddenly Raises A Bigger Week 10 Concern
A midweek injury report usually offers a little clarity, but Thursdays update for Carolina only added another layer of uncertainty. Left guard Damien Lewis and outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips both went from full participation on Wednesday to limited work a day later, while nine other players were able to stay on the field in full capacity as the Panthers moved deeper into Week 10 preparation.
The more concerning development was inside linebacker Bobby Okereke missing practice entirely because of a foot injury. With the week already turning into a test of depth and availability, Carolina now has to monitor whether the issue is a short-term setback or something that could affect the lineup when the Panthers get closer to game day. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Suddenly Have A Mike Tomlin Question Fans Can't Ignore
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For Panthers fans, the intrigue is obvious because any serious coaching search tends to start with the biggest names available, and Tomlin still fits that category. Reports have tied him to a handful of potential vacancies, including the Jets, Cowboys, Eagles and Colts, but for now he says his attention is on broadcasting and he will weigh coaching opportunities if they come his way. [Read more 🡒]
Greg Olsen Sees One Big Reason Panthers Defense Still Feels Unsettled
The Panthers defense has been trying to find its footing all season, and Greg Olsen believes the reasons are pretty clear. In a recent interview, the former Carolina tight end pointed to the combination of injuries to key defensive players and the disruption that comes with coaching changes as major factors behind the uneven play, a familiar kind of turbulence for a unit that has had to keep adjusting on the fly.
Carolina has been navigating absences and limited availability from players such as Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson and Jaelan Phillips, even as some have started to work their way back into practice. Entering Week 10, the Panthers sit 22nd in overall defense, which underscores how much work remains before the group can look settled again. [Read more 🡒]