Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn exited Saturday's playoff game versus the Los Angeles Rams after colliding with wide receiver Puka Nacua. Considering that the Cats were on the precipice of upsetting MVP candidate Matthew Stafford and one of the favorites to win the NFC, his status was vitally important. He went into the blue medical tent, via the Underdog NFL X account, and did not return.
Horn and fellow corner Mike Jackson comprise an effective secondary for the Panthers, so this unfortunate news gave the Rams a huge edge in the final minutes of the Wild Card battle. Stafford and company sprinted down the field in just over two minutes, recapturing the lead thanks to a terrific Colby Parkinson touchdown. Carolina quarterback Bryce Young performed valiantly, but the team fell just short of an exhilarating victory. The Panthers' campaign ends with a 34-31 loss.
One has to wonder if Horn could have made a difference on what turned out to be the game-winning drive. Although the 2021 top-10 draft pick did not live up to the $100 million contract extension he signed last March, he still recorded five interceptions en route to his second Pro Bowl selection. The Panthers invested in Horn because they believed he could help the franchise end its longstanding playoff drought.
The 26-year-old did just that, but he was brutally denied the chance to finish Carolina's biggest game since 2018. Hopefully, he makes a swift recovery and gets to enjoy a healthy offseason. Jaycee Horn and the Panthers will remember this outcome and come back amped up for the 2026-27 campaign.
