Add The New York Post on Google Wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. has been waived by the Panthers after a costly mistake in Week 1.
Horn served as Carolina’s main kickoff and punt returner in the team’s 59-37 loss to the Bears on Sunday and in the second quarter, he bungled a punt that eventually led to a Chicago field goal for a 24-21 lead.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson dubbed the punt Horn muffed a “banana ball,” meaning his punter Tory Taylor changed where he struck the ball, his drop and leg angles for added spin.
Bears wide receiver Zavion Thomas (81) recovers a muffed punt return by Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (15) in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Taylor’s strategy made it harder for Horn to track and catch the ball, with the punt starting toward the sideline before curving back towards the middle of the field, with added side spin.
After Horn was waived, the Panthers elevated former Dolphins linebacker Tyrel Dodson from the practice squad.
Dodson was released by Miami before the cutdown deadline and had spent two weeks on Carolina’s practice squad.
Panthers coach Dave Canales mentioned Horn’s mistake as part of the team’s woes following their Week 1 loss.
“Playing smart, that’s where we fell short,” Canales said Monday. “It was about executing our plan. It was about timely and costly penalties. Certainly, the turnovers, 17 points off of turnovers against a really good team, that’s not something that you can do to play the championship football that we need to play.”
Jimmy Horn Jr. #15 of the Carolina Panthers is tackled against the Chicago Bears during the first half of the game on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Getty Images Carolina will now have to decide who will take on the majority of punt and kickoff return duties, with running back Trevor Etienne on injured reserve with an ankle injury.
John Metchie III, one of five wide receivers on the Panthers’ 53-man roster, has some prior punt and kickoff return experience.
The Panthers visit the Falcons in Week 2 for their first NFC South clash of the young season.
