If the Carolina Panthers are to keep their improbable 2022 campaign going with an NFC South title, they may have to do it without one of their best players.
On Monday, interim head coach Steve Wilks told reporters cornerback Jaycee Horn will undergo surgery on his broken wrist. Wilks also added that the team will then determine Horn’s potential availability for the rest of the season following the procedure.
The 23-year-old left in the fourth quarter of Saturday afternoon’s victory, following a takedown of Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds. He was seen in the locker room after the game wearing a soft cast and sling on his right arm.
Horn was in the midst of a breakout campaign—having recorded 53 combined tackles, three interceptions and seven passes defensed over 13 games. Entering Week 16, he had allowed the fewest receptions (23), the fewest receiving yards (216) and the lowest passer rating (39.4) amongst all starting corners.
This could mark the second season-ending injury for the former eighth overall pick in as many years. He previously sustained a broken foot as a rookie, a setback that kept him out of the Panthers’ final 14 games in 2021.