The Carolina Panthers have been running thin at the cornerback position for quite some time—and part of that has to do with the absence of a team leader.
While actually present for the start of mandatory minicamp, cornerback and captain Donte Jackson remained out of action on Tuesday. But, in a bit of encouraging news from head coach Frank Reich, the veteran defender is expected to be back by training camp.
“Yeah, he’s making great progress,” Reich told reporters. “We miss him out here, but he’s making great progress. He should be ready to go for training camp.”
Jackson sustained a torn Achilles tendon during last season’s Week 10 victory against the Atlanta Falcons. Prior to having his 2022 campaign cut short, the 27-year-old started nine games—amassing 35 combined tackles and a pair of interceptions.
The Panthers, additionally, are without fellow starter Jaycee Horn. Horn, who broke his wrist to close up his 2022, is currently healing from an ankle/foot injury he picked up during a personal workout this offseason.
He too, according to Reich, is expected to return for training camp.
