The Good and Not So Good from Panthers' Monday Practice: Jimmy Horn Jr.'s Chances

The Carolina Panthers wrapped up practice on Monday, the final week of preparation before the last preseason game this Friday. For many, it's now or never, and stringing together good practices to close out camp as Week 1 inches closer is paramount.

But as usual, there were some good things and some not so good things in the Panthers' practice.

Good: Corey Thornton's last-ditch effort

Practice ends with a Corey Thornton pick of Pickett. Thornton had dropped a potential INT a few plays earlier.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 24, 2026

Corey Thornton is not only trending towards losing his job, but some have predicted that he won't even make the roster. He's had a rough summer, but today he bounced back. It's now or never for Thornton, and he closed practice with what some have referred to as his best play yet. Putting in good practices and a good preseason finale can change his fate.

Not so good: Dave Canales' preseason plan

Canales says if the starters get enough work in Wednesday’s joint practice, they will likely not play in Friday’s game. #Panthers
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) August 24, 2026

Dave Canales has seen his team come out flat to open the season twice in a row, and he hasn't really learned. The head coach has given the Panthers' starters more run thus far, but he may not let them play at all in the finale, though not for health. He said it will depend on how they do in joint practice. Either they need to play for the reps (which is likely), or it's not worth the health risk. Choose one.

Good: Jimmy Horn Jr.'s roster chances

Jimmy Horn just scored in seven on seven … and celebrated by doing a front flip.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 24, 2026

Jimmy Horn Jr. has found himself in a muddled competition for the final few wide receiver spots. Whether the Panthers take six or seven receivers, Horn isn't guaranteed a spot on the roster. He has put in the work, though he hasn't excelled as a receiver yet. Today, he made a great play and celebrated accordingly because he has likely given himself a boost towards making the final 53.

Not so good: Haynes King's health

Chuba Hubbard is expected to be ready by Week One; hit 20mph on Return-to-Play last week.

Haynes King will not return for the preseason finale on Friday. #Panthers
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) August 24, 2026

Let's all hope the Hall of Fame Game was enough, because Haynes King is unlikely to return to the field this weekend. Not playing will hurt his chances of making the roster, even though Dave Canales might've hinted that he expects him to make the roster. He can do nothing towards that, though, and is fully at the mercy of the staff after one preseason game against the backups of backups. It's not ideal.

Not so good: Darren Waller's chances of playing

“I wouldn’t want to put him in a game setting after practicing for a week,” Canales on Darren Waller.

He said they have to lean on his recent history because it’s hard to get an evaluation on a week in practice.

He likely won’t play Friday but will be sprinkled in against…
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 24, 2026

Like Haynes King, let's all hope that Darren Waller's history and his impression in practice is enough, because he is unlikely to play on Friday. The veteran tight end was brought in to revitalize the tight end position, yet he hasn't played. That makes it hard to roster him, though the Panthers would probably be foolish not to.

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