Report: Carolina Panthers activating CB Jaycee Horn off Injured Reserve

The 1-10 Carolina Panthers could be getting at least a little bit of help to their roster as former first round pick, cornerback Jaycee Horn, is being activated after missing almost all of the season with a hamstring injury.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Saturday morning a day before Carolina’s game at Tampa Bay that Horn is being activated while his status is unknown for that Buccaneers matchup. Here was that news, which Fowler tweeted out:

“Sources: The Panthers are activating cornerback Jaycee Horn, who has been out since Week 1 with a severe hamstring issue. While still unclear whether he’ll play Sunday, the former top-10 pick is off IR and available.”

Definitely a positive update for Horn and the Panther defense.

Panthers freeze out reporter during owner’s press conference after firing coach

By Dan Morrison

Amid a frustrating 1-10 starter, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper chose to fire head coach Frank Reich. It was a move that led to a lot of criticism of the Panthers’ owner.

David Tepper addressed the decision in a press conference. However, during that press conference, it seemed like the Panthers purposefully froze out one of the reporters who was the most critical of Tepper and the Panthers.

On Monday, Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer wrote a critical article of the Panthers. In it, he argued that David Tepper needed to fire himself. This came amid the third head coach he’s fired in his time owning the Panthers.

He also attended the press conference but was not called on to ask a question. Fowler made it clear afterward that he felt this was an intentional decision.

“I’m very unhappy w/the Panthers for getting frozen out of asking a question at the David Tepper press conference,” Fowler posted. “Sat in front row; raised hand high; wasn’t called on; protested to no avail. Felt like it was purposeful.”

The column also referred to Tepper as a “hedge-fund billionaire with no clue as to how to run a football team.”

Proving that Carolina purposefully didn’t call on Scott Fowler is pretty difficult to do. However, it also wouldn’t be surprising. The Panthers are trying to control a media narrative and David Tepper would certainly prefer to avoid the hardest-hitting questions as possible.

At the same time, the reason why media sessions happen is for reporters to ask questions and get answers for fans. For those Carolina fans who are frustrated with how the franchise has struggled during Tepper’s tenure in charge, a critical voice can be an important one.