Oft-injured Panthers CB Jaycee Horn could play vs. Cowboys

Former first-round pick Jaycee Horn could be on the field Sunday when the Carolina Panthers take on the Dallas Cowboys.

That decision rests largely with head coach Frank Reich, who'll confer with the 2021 No. 8 overall pick and decide if he's ready to play for the first time since tearing his hamstring in the 2023 regular-season opener.

Horn landed on IR three weeks into his first season with a broken foot, and he fractured his wrist in 2022. Now midway through his third season, Horn has played 17 total games and is eager to shake the rep of being injury-prone.

"It's sh---y. Excuse my language," Horn said. "I mean, that's what it is, you know. For me, for the fans, for the coaches. I mean, I was brought here to play football. That's what I want to do.

"So it's frustrating but, you know, all I can do is keep putting one foot in front of the other and you keep going. That's all I know how to do."

Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero predicted a big season ahead for Horn in training camp. He wasn't willing to step out on a limb and declare Horn ready for Dallas after three practices this week.

"We're hopeful," Evero said. "Jaycee -- coach (Reich) will address that. We'll see where it goes."

Horn was designated to return from injured reserve on Monday. He was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday.

On Nov. 3, Reich said Horn was "probably another week or two away." If he practices without restrictions on Friday, there's a shot he'll be on the field covering CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys' No. 1 receiver playing at an All-Pro level. He has four games with 10-plus receptions this season.