Panthers waive WR Horn, sign LB Dodson from practice squad

Despite a stellar preseason performance, the Panthers waived wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. on Tuesday following Carolina's 59-37 loss to theChicago Bearsin Week 1.

Horn, the Panthers sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, was the team's primary kickoff and punt returner against Chicago and muffed a second quarter punt that eventually led to a field goal for the Bears.

Horn was waived to make room for former Miami Dolphins starting linebacker Tyrel Dodson, who was promoted from the practice squadafter another team tried to sign him, a league source told ESPN. Dodson had spent the past two weeks on the Panthers' practice roster after being released by Miami ahead of the cutdown deadline.

Horn's release leaves the Panthers with five wide receivers on the 53-man roster: Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Brycen Tremayne and John Metchie III. Of that group, Metchie was the only healthy scratch at the position in Week 1.

The Panthers favored Horn over Metchie due to the former's return prowess and speed. Along with his return opportunities, Horn played 14 snaps on offense against the Bears.

Horn's fumbled punt while trying to make a fair catch was brought up by Coach Dave Canales, who noted that turnovers and penalties cost the Panthers against the Bears and that the team needed to play smarter moving forward.

"Playing smart, that's where we fell short," Canales said Monday. "It was about executing our plan. It was about timely and costly penalties. Certainly, the turnovers, 17 points off of turnovers against a really good team, that's not something that you can do to play the championship football that we need to play."

Horn took on the return duties this offseason as the Panthers looked to get more value out of the Colorado alum. He produced seven catches for 75 yards in four preseason games.

Last season, as a rookie, Horn appeared in 13 games, producing 11 catches for 108 yards and 69 yards on eight carries. He was targeted just once on Sunday against Chicago.

The team is now without a primary punt and kickoff returner with running back Trevor Etienne (ankle) on injured reserve. Metchie, a former second-round pick of the Houston Texans, has some experience in returning kickoffs and punts.

The Panthers also have wide receivers David Moore, Casey Washington and summer standout Ja'seem Reed on the practice squad. Moore has experience returning punts, while Washington and Reed took return reps during training camp practices.

Dodson, who started 16 games for Miami in 2025, produced 129 tackles, five sacks and interception for the Dolphins last season. His addition to the roster gives the Panthers added depth at an important position for the defense, which faltered against the Bears, giving up 552 yards and a franchise-worst 59 points in the defeat.

Dodson will factor into a depth chart that was led by Devin Lloyd and Bobby Okereke in Week 1. The Panthers also have Claudin Cherelus and 2026 seventh-round pick Jackson Kuwatch at the position.