Former Panthers first-round pick makes a scary admission heading into make-or-break season

Jaycee Horn is putting the NFL and Carolina Panthers on notice. 

Horn, an often injured cornerback, is ready to put his injury struggles behind him.

The Panthers picked up his fifth-year option, despite his checkered injury history and he appears ready to pay the team back in what amounts to a prove-it season. 

"I know what I'm capable of, and I still feel like I'm one of the best DBs in this league," Horn said. "I've just got to be out there to show it. That's what I'm looking forward to doing."

Horn is desperate for a healthy season. Since being drafted in 2021, he has appeared in 22 games. The most games he's played in his career came in 2022, logging 13. It isn't a surprise that when healthy for most of the year, he produced his best statistical season: 53 tackles, three interceptions and seven passes defended.

Horn wants to get back to that level of production. To do so, he is taking on a more hands-off approach, controlling what he can and playing up to his first-round talent. 

"They believe in me," Horn said. "Now it's just staying on the field, controlling what I can control, and playing good football."

Easier said than done.