Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn is counting his blessings after walking away from a car crash in Charlotte, North Carolina, with only minor injuries.
The 25-year-old NFL star was involved in a collision early Wednesday morning, August 6, while driving to the Panthers’ training facility. The accident occurred at the busy intersection of Mint and Morehead Streets — just steps from Bank of America Stadium, where the team practices.
Dashcam footage of the crash — which quickly went viral after being shared by the popular @charlottedashcam Instagram account — showed Horn’s black Mercedes-Maybach SUV colliding with a pickup truck in rainy conditions. Despite red lights, both vehicles appeared to enter the intersection, and authorities have not confirmed who was at fault.
Thankfully, no one involved in the accident required emergency medical care on-site. Horn, who was alone in his vehicle, sustained a minor injury to his left thumb and received a few stitches.
“I’m glad that Jaycee was OK,”
Panthers head coach Dave Canales told reporters following the incident.
“They got that all cleaned up and sutured up.”
Horn later addressed the crash himself, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to calm fans’ nerves with a brief update:
“I’m straight! Nun major thank god.”
The accident happened just hours before the Panthers’ joint practice with the Cleveland Browns, which Horn sat out. Though he didn’t participate, he was seen watching from the sideline. The team confirmed he will miss Friday’s preseason opener but hasn’t ruled out his return for the August 16 game against the Houston Texans.
“Hopefully we can get him turned around so we can take advantage of an opportunity in Houston,”
Canales added.
The crash comes at a significant moment in Horn’s career. In March, the defensive standout signed a four-year, $100 million contract extension with the Panthers, including $70 million guaranteed — one of the largest deals ever for a cornerback.
Horn’s performance in the 2024 season helped seal the deal. He racked up 68 tackles, 13 pass deflections, two sacks, and one interception over 15 games — earning his first Pro Bowl nod and solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s rising stars.
The accident was a scary moment for both Horn and the fans. His quick recovery relieves the team as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season. The Panthers aim to bounce back from a 5-12 finish last year. Horn is expected to play a significant role in leading the defense — and now, he’ll do so with a fresh perspective on just how quickly things can change.
