The Carolina Panthers are activating the 21-day practice window for two injured players this week. Cornerback Jaycee Horn and tight end Ian Thomas can now return to practice, the team announced on Monday.
Horn suffered a hamstring injury in the Panthers’ season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. The cornerback is in his third season in the NFL after Carolina drafted him No. 8 out of South Carolina. He has appeared in just 17 games, though, as he dealt with multiple injuries during his first two years in the league. In the offseason, he dealt with an ankle and foot injury that kept him out of OTAs and minicamp, as well.
Last year was Horn’s best in the NFL as he totaled 53 tackles and three interceptions across 13 games. He had one tackle in the loss to the Falcons prior to his injury.
Ian Thomas, primarily a blocking tight end for Carolina, has two catches for 36 yards on the year. Now that the practice window is open, Horn and Thomas can return to the active roster at any time. However, if they’re not back on the active roster within 21 days, they’ll have to remain on Injured Reserve.
The Panthers have now officially used four of their eight possible activations from IR this season. Tight end Stephen Sullivan and outside linebacker Marquis Haynes Sr. were the other two players previously designated to return.
Also Monday, they signed practice squad outside linebacker Eku Leota to the 53-man roster. To fill the available practice squad slot opened up by Leota, the Panthers signed veteran offensive tackle David Sharpe. Sharpe previously played in two games for Carolina.
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