The summertime months are winding down, and that means that football season is right around the corner, folks. In the NFL, several former South Carolina Gamecocks are returning to the field for their team's respective training camps that start this week.Â
One former Gamecocks doing just that is Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn, who is entering his sixth season in the league.Â
Horn had been placed on the Panthers' injured list earlier this month after he suffered a cut to one of his toes while running. Per Carolina, the injury was serious enough that he had to get stitches. Although he had been running on the toe as he recovered from the injury, he wasn't fully cleared to practice until Tuesday.Â
The day marked Carolina's first day of full pads practice, so it was a welcomed addition to have the two-time Pro Bowler back on the field. During practice, he didn't show too much limitations, and looked to be going at pretty much full speed:Â
Jaycee Horn makes his camp debut after being cleared to return from the Non-Football Injury list.#KeepPounding @wyffnews4 pic.twitter.com/ndbAe2DFFJ
— Chase Justice WYFF News 4 (@ChaseJusticeTV) July 28, 2026
Horn is expected to be a leader for the Panthers' defense that enters 2026 looking to defend their NFC South title. The former South Carolina standout was drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, with Carolina selecting him with their No. 8 overall pick. Although he played in just nine games as a rookie and second-year vet thanks to foot and ankle injuries that cut his seasons short, he has combined for 190 tackles with 10 interceptions and 34 passes defended over his last five seasons. His last two years in Charlotte have been his best bet, as he's had six interceptions, making the Pro Bowl each of his last two seasons.Â
In March of last year, Horn signed a four-year, $100 million contract extension that included $72 million of it guaranteed. Having Horn back just in time for the start of training camp is great news for Panther fans. Carolina will start preseason play on Aug. 6, playing in the annual Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals.Â
Across his three seasons with the Gamecocks from 2018-2020, Horn accounted for 101 total tackles with seven for loss, three sacks and two interceptions. Carolina opens its regular season on Sept. 13 at home against Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears.Â
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