Latest injury update on Carolina Panthers rookie Jaycee Horn

The Carolina Panthers’ secondary was just dealt a tough blow early in season. While the Panthers improved to 3-0 with a victory over the Houston Texans on Thursday night, first round cornerback Jaycee Horn broke multiple bones in his foot. At the best, Horn is looking at a 2-3 month return, possibly bring him back very late in the season, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“Panthers stud CB Jaycee Horn will be looked at this morning more extensively, but the fear is he broke multiple bones in the metatarsal area in his foot,” Rapoport tweeted on Friday morning. “Surgery is an option and likely looking at 2-3 month recovery. That means a late-season return or season-ending.”

Horn suffered the injury while backpedaling as he was trying to defend a route. As he planted his right foot, Horn appeared to have twisted his foot, and he immediately fell to the field and called for trainers. Horn was carted off the field and immediately underwent X-rays.

Horn came down with the first interception of his NFL career last Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. He has allowed just two receptions on 71 coverage snaps as a rookie, per Pro Football Focus. The Panthers selected him eighth overall out of South Carolina in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey also went down on Thursday

After missing the majority of last season with multiple injuries, star running back Christian McCaffrey also suffered an injury on Thursday night. As McCaffrey carried a ball towards the sideline, he tried to cut to make a defender miss, but he instead came up limping due to a hamstring injury. It has been reported that McCaffrey suffered a strained hamstring.

McCaffrey has 201 rushing yards and a touchdown on 52 carries so far this season. He also has 16 receptions and 163 yards through the air. McCaffrey is one of the best all-around running backs in the NFL, and he hopefully will not be sidelined for an extended period.

The Panthers are 3-0 for the fifth time in franchise history. As Carolina looks to carry its early success into the coming weeks, it could be forced to do so without two valuable playmakers in McCaffrey and Horn.