All Panthers

Dave Canales reveals role for rookie Jimmy Horn Jr. in Panthers debut

Wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. was inactive for the team's first four games this season. He's set to take the field on Sunday at home against the Miami Dolphins.
Russell Baxter|
Aug 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (15) runs the ball in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allison Lawhon-Imagn Images
Aug 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (15) runs the ball in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allison Lawhon-Imagn Images | Allison Lawhon-Imagn Images

In this story:

Carolina Panthers

It’s been a shaky start for Dave Canales’s team, who have dropped three of their first four games. And getting off to a good start on a weekly basis has been a problem for the 1-3 Carolina Panthers. Canales’s inconsistent squad has been outscored a combined 68-22 in the first half, and the Panthers’ offense has produced only two touchdowns in the first 30 minutes of play in those contests.

From injury issues on the offensive front, to erratic play from quarterback Bryce Young, to being shorthanded at times at wide receiver. Carolina could use some instant excitement on both offense and the return game. That help could be coming on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, who also own a 1-3 record.

Speedy wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. was a sixth-round pick in April. The former University of Colorado standout has not appeared in a regular-season game this season, but that’s about to change.

Veteran wideout David Moore was placed on injured reserve this week, opening the door for Horn.

“When I know Jimmy is confident about what’s happening,” added Canales earlier this week (via Kassidy Hill of Panthers.com), “you see the speed and ability really show up, and that’s what’s happened in the last two weeks as he’s continuing to get himself ready because you just never know, and here we are. And he’s done the work, he’s working really hard, it’s all hands on deck, he’s into it, he’s excited about it.”

Perhaps Horn is the spark needs on not only offense but special teams as well. Keep in mind that during the preseason, he returned one punt for a single yard but also took back five kickoffs for 88 yards—including a long of 28 yards. After four weeks of play this season, the Panthers are dead last in the league in punt return average, and 30th in the NFL in kickoff return average.

  - Enjoy more free Panthers coverage with Carolina Panthers on SI - 

Carolina Panthers announce more bad injury news among 9 roster moves

Dismal Bryce Young stat raises questions about future with Panthers

NFL evaluator shares brutally honest take on Bryce Young's performance

Panthers have 2 of the NFL's top 15 rookies, one’ a pleasant surprise

Published
Russell Baxter
RUSSELL BAXTER

Russell S. Baxter has been writing and researching the game of football for more than 40 years, and on numerous platforms. That includes television, as he spent more than two decades at ESPN, and was part of shows that garnered five Emmy Awards. He also spent the 2015 NFL season with Thursday Night Football on CBS/NFLN.