CHARLOTTE, NC — The Carolina Panthers brought in an old but familiar face in cornerback Jaycee Horn, who is scheduled for surgery Tuesday for a broken wrist. His availability for Sunday’s NFC South Showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is uncertain.
Josh Norman, a key part of the team’s drive to the 2015 Super Bowl when interim coach Steve Wilks was in charge of the secondary school, tried his hand at Monday for the team with expectations of signing with the Buccaneers and playing at least a minor role in winning division titles.
Tampa Bay (7-8) has a one-game lead over Carolina (6-9), who can win the division by winning their last two games against the Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints (6-9).
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Wilks said a decision on whether Horn will return or miss the rest of the season will not be made until after the surgery.
“I’ve seen certain scenarios where the op goes well and they’re able to unite it and he can go play,” Wilks said. “We’ll have to wait and see exactly what the doctors and coaches say.”
If Horn can’t play, the Panthers will look to Keith Taylor versus CJ Henderson first. Wilks said he didn’t expect Norman to start right away.
Wilks said Norman, 35, was brought in because of his experience and has the same DNA as veteran cornerback Peanut Tillman and safety guard Roman Harper when they joined the team in their 30s.
“He has experience in this league,” Wilks said. “He brings leadership qualities. And most importantly, I feel like he has DNA. He played for me. He understands the culture we’ve been trying to create here and the game element we’re looking for.
“I hope he’s in good enough shape to play for us this week.”
Norman hasn’t played since last season, when he started 14 games for the San Francisco 49ers and forced a career-high seven fumbles.
He had his best season under Wilks in 2015 when he was voted a first-team All-Pro. The following offseason, after Carolina lifted his nonexclusive franchise tag, he signed a five-year, $75 million contract with the Washington Commanders, making him the highest-paid cornerman in NFL history at the time.
Horn broke his wrist in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 37-23 win over the Detroit Lions. He leads Carolina with three interceptions and likely would have paired this Sunday with Bucs receiver Mike Evans, who leads the team in receptions with 51.
Norman (6ft, 200lbs) has done well with Evans in the past. But it’s the intangibles the South Carolina native brings to the table that Wilks likes best for his fledgling secondary school.
“He’s going to be a great example for some of these young people,” Wilks said. “You mentioned some we’ve had in the past, Peanut Tillman and Roman Harper, he fits right into that mold.”