It's not easy to watch former South Carolina Gamecocks get injured, especially at the NFL level. During the NFL's Week 3, the Carolina Panthers fell 21-18 on the road against the Cleveland Browns.
Despite the road loss, the Panthers are now dealing with numerous injuries to several players, including starting cornerback Jaycee Horn. Late in the fourth quarter, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson found his tight end Harold Fannin Jr. in the end zone to take a 21-18 lead.
After the play, Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn had to get helped off the field. His head coach, Dave Canales, told reporters after the game that he was dealing with a quad injury, but he made it sound pretty serious. He added that he was "nowhere near" ready to come back into the game:
Canales: Jaycee Horn and Jalen Coker are both nursing quad injuries. Mike Jackson went down with a groin and was "nowhere close" to re-entering the game. #Panthers
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) September 27, 2026
Horn, a former Top-10 draft pick, was expected to be a leader for the Panthers' secondary this year. Although he missed several offseason practices with the Panthers after dealing with a cut to his toe he sustained while running, he was elevated from the non-football injury list in late July.
In his first three games with the Panther, Horn had accounts for six total tackles including four solo stops with two passes defended. The Panthers awarded Horn with a new contract in March 2026, giving him a four-year, $100 million contract extension that included $72 million of it guaranteed.
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.
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.
Across his last five seasons, he has accounted for 196 tackles with 10 interceptions and 36 passes defended. This isn't the first time Horn has dealt with injuries, as he played in nine games as a rookie in 2021 and 2022 dealing with foot and ankle injuries.
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.
The Panthers drafted Horn No. 8 overall during the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons with the Gamecocks from 2018-2020 under former South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp. With the Gamecock defense, he accounted for 101 total tackles with seven for loss, three sacks and two interceptions.
Hopefully Horn's injury is not too serious. The Panthers could use him back as soon as possible, too. Through three weeks, Carolina is sitting at 1-2 with losses to the Bears and Browns, beating the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. Next week, the Panthers host Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions during Sunday Night Football in primetime.
Even if Horn misses that game, hopefully the injury can be rehabbed this season. Get well soon, Jaycee!
South Carolina opens as slight home favorites against Kentucky Wildcats
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