Why did Panthers waive Jimmy Horn Jr? Carolina’s updated depth chart reveals new returner
Panthers Turn to John Metchie III for Return Duties After Jimmy Horn Jr. Release
Bharatmorningnews.com – Carolina has reshaped its special-teams plans following its opening-week loss to the Chicago Bears, releasing rookie wide receiver and return man Jimmy Horn Jr. The move came Tuesday, shortly after a costly miscue in Horn’s first regular-season game as the Panthers’ primary punt and kickoff returner.
Horn, a sixth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, had been entrusted with a significant early role. He handled both major return assignments in the opener and also took 14 offensive snaps. But his afternoon against Chicago changed in the second quarter, when he muffed a punt that ultimately led to a Bears field goal.
The Panthers’ updated Week 2 depth chart indicates that John Metchie III is expected to assume Horn’s return responsibilities. Metchie had been inactive as a healthy scratch in Week 1, but his previous work in the role gives Carolina an immediate internal option while the team adjusts its lineup.
Roster Spot Goes to Veteran Linebacker
Horn’s release also opened room on the 53-man roster for linebacker Tyrel Dodson, who was elevated from Carolina’s practice squad after another club attempted to sign him.
Dodson arrives with a much longer NFL résumé than most practice-squad promotions. The 28-year-old has played in 92 career games and started 43 during stops with the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks. His experience gives Carolina another veteran option at linebacker as the team evaluates its roster after the first game of the season.
There is also familiarity between Dodson and the Panthers’ leadership. Buffalo initially signed him as an undrafted player from Texas A&M when Carolina general manager Dan Morgan was working with the Bills organization. That previous connection adds background to a move that brings an experienced defender into the active group.
Metchie Gets a New Opportunity
With Horn no longer on the roster, the Panthers have five wide receivers: Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Brycen Tremayne and Metchie. Of those players, Metchie was the only healthy inactive player in the season opener.
Carolina initially selected Horn over Metchie for the active lineup in part because of Horn’s speed and return ability. Horn saw one target on offense against Chicago, but his larger responsibility was expected to come on special teams. The decision to make a change after one game puts Metchie in position to contribute in a phase that can quickly influence field position.
Metchie has experience returning both kicks and punts. In preseason action, he brought back four kickoffs for 111 yards, an average of 27.8 yards per return, and returned one punt for eight yards. While preseason production does not guarantee regular-season success, it provides Carolina with a player who has recently taken live reps in both assignments.
The 25-year-old did not play a snap in Week 1, making the revised depth chart particularly notable. His path to game-day involvement may now run through special teams, where dependable ball security and sound decision-making are especially valuable after Carolina’s early turnover-related mistake.
Horn’s Brief Run With Carolina
The Panthers spent the offseason exploring ways to make the most of Horn’s skill set. The Colorado product took over return work during the preseason and showed potential as a flexible contributor whose speed could be useful beyond the traditional receiver role.
Across four preseason games, Horn caught seven passes for 75 yards. His rookie numbers from the 2025 season included 13 appearances, 11 receptions for 108 yards and 69 rushing yards on eight carries. Those figures reflected a player used in a limited but varied capacity, with touches coming both through the passing game and on designed rushing attempts.
His involvement against the Bears was similarly limited offensively. Horn received only one target despite playing 14 snaps on offense, leaving special teams as the clearest avenue for him to make an immediate impact. The muffed punt, and the points that followed for Chicago, became an unfortunate turning point in his short stay on the active roster.
For Carolina, the move is less about replacing receiving production than stabilizing several areas at once. Dodson adds depth and experience to the defense, while Metchie gives the Panthers a new return option without requiring an outside addition. The team will now look to see whether that revised arrangement can provide cleaner special-teams execution in Week 2.
The decision also underscores how quickly roster roles can shift in the NFL. A young player may be asked to carry a major responsibility early, particularly on special teams, where one play can dramatically alter a game. Carolina has chosen to respond immediately, turning to a different returner and adding a veteran defender as it moves forward from its season-opening defeat.
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