The Carolina Panthers officially picked up the fifth-year option for standout cornerback Jaycee Horn on Friday, according to sources. Despite playing in only six games in 2023 due to a hamstring injury, Horn will have his fifth-year option picked up. The 24-year-old former eighth overall pick by Carolina in 2021 out of South Carolina had 27 tackles (20 solo) and five passes defensed in his six starts last season. He's only played in 22 games in his first three years in the league due to injuries, so picking up Horn's fifth-year option was far from a guarantee. In his three years in the NFL, Horn has produced 85 tackles (60 solo), four interceptions and 13 passes defensed in 22 starts. The Panthers are taking a bit of a gamble and are hoping the defensive back can avoid the injury bug moving forward.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson has been a full-time starter since he arrived as a second-round pick out of LSU in 2018, but The Athletic's Joseph Person lists him as a potential salary cap casualty this offseason. Cutting the 28-year-old defensive back would create almost $6 million in salary cap space for the Panthers this offseason, but it would also leave them with $9.8 million in dead money. Jackson was unable to pick off a pass in 2023 for the first time in his career, but he started 16 games (the most since his rookie year) and was solid in run support. The Panthers must also consider fellow cornerback Jaycee Horn's lengthy injury history when considering whether to cut Jackson. The Panthers only have a few obvious potential salary cap cuts outside of Jackson.

From RotoBaller

The Carolina Panthers activated cornerback Jaycee Horn (hamstring) from Injured Reserve on Saturday, according to sources. Horn has been out since Week 1 due to a severe hamstring injury. It's unclear if the former top-10 pick will be available to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13 on Sunday, but he will at least be available for the Panthers' secondary. Donte Jackson and CJ Henderson are likely to remain as the team's starting cornerbacks this weekend, but Horn will give the team some more depth in their secondary for the final six games of the season. The 24-year-old has played in only 17 games in his three NFL seasons since being taken eighth overall by the Panthers in 2021 out of South Carolina.

From RotoBaller