Panthers secondary banged up with Sunday night matchup looming against high-powered Lions

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers are expected to be without both starting cornerbacks entering Sunday night's primetime home game against Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions’ high-powered offense.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection Jaycee Horn suffered what coach Dave Canales called a “significant quad injury” in the second half of a 21-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, while Mike Jackson left in the first half with a groin injury and did not return.

Canales wouldn't confirm a report that Horn tore his quad muscle and will miss six to 12 weeks. He told reporters on Monday that the team is seeking multiple medical opinions on Horn regarding the timeline of the injury.

However, the injury was significant enough for Horn to post a message on social media that read, “Injuries have held me back from reaching my full potential for too long, and that (stuff) hurts deep down to my core more than words could ever explain."

Horn went on to post, “I love this game. I love my brothers. And I'm not done. I'll be back.”

Horn is considered the secondary's top defender.

He's a huge part of coordinator Ejiro Evero's weekly game plan because he's asked to do so many different things.

“You can't replace Jaycee Horn,” Canales said.

Akayleb Evans and rookie Will Lee III are expected to start at cornerback moving forward, while Chau Smith-Wade would be the nickel back. Evans had 15 starts for the Minnesota Vikings in 2023, but has only two since. It would be the first NFL start for Lee, the team's fourth-round pick earlier this year.

The Panthers are dealing with other key injuries as well.

Wide receiver Jalen Coker, who was off to a fast start this season, left the Browns game with a quad injury after being listed as questionable coming in with an ankle injury.

Guard Damien Lewis injured his elbow and later left the game.

And, Bryce Young also appeared to tweak his foot against Cleveland, although he was able to remain in the game. Canales said Young will be evaluated this week as well, but that he expects him to play against the Lions.

Carolina came into the game plenty banged up.

Last week's NFC Defensive Player of the Week Devin Lloyd (calf), safety Nick Scott (rib) and wide receiver Xavier Legette (knee) were all inactive. That news came after the Panthers placed backup running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) and linebacker Claudin Cherelus (shoulder) on injured reserve last week.

With Brooks going down last week, Canales leaned heavily on Chuba Hubbard to carry the load in the backfield.

Hubbard responded with another solid game. He ran 19 times for 82 yards and caught four passes for 28 yards, although he failed to reach the end zone for the first time this season.

AJ Dillon, who stepped into the No. 2 spot at running back, only got four carries and played just 16% of the team's offensive snaps. However, he could see a bigger role moving forward as the Panthers look to spell Hubbard and keep him fresh.

The Panthers continue to hurt themselves with penalties.

On Sunday, linebacker Bobby Okereke was flagged for a game-changing penalty with 2:29 remaining when he delivered a helmet-to-helmet hit on quarterback Deshaun Watson, nullifying Evans' interception in the end zone that could have sealed a Carolina win.

Instead, Watson found Harold Fannin Jr. three plays later for the go-ahead touchdown.

“We extended the drive for them, and if you give a guy like Deshaun Watson a little bit of extra time, and a few more opportunities, he’s going to get creative and find something,” Canales said.

With Legette a game-time scratch and Coker leaving early, Brycen Tremayne stepped up Sunday with four catches for 83 yards, including a 31-yard catch along the left sideline. Tremayne has been looking for a role in Carolina's offense for two years and this was a major step forward for him.

John Metchie, a teammate of Bryce Young's at Alabama for two seasons, saw more time at wide receiver with Legette out and finished with two catches for 19 yards including a touchdown with 4:25 left that put Carolina ahead 18-13.

The Panthers struggled on first downs on Sunday, repeatedly putting themselves in second-and-long situations against the Browns. Canales said that is an area the team will address this week in practice.

Carolina came into the game fourth in the league in offense and second in scoring.

Canales said the Panthers were set to have an organizational meeting on Monday with several department heads to discuss injury prevention, readiness and recovery following the recent spate of injuries.

The Panthers have struggled to stay healthy since their arrival at training camp.

Edge rusher Nic Scourton and rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II were both lost to season-ending injuries before the preseason games began.

If there is some bit of good news for the Panthers it’s that they have a bye in Week 5.

Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald has made all seven field-goal attempts this season.

Regrouping and getting healthy. Despite falling to 1-2 on the season, all is not lost for the Panthers as they remain tied with the Saints and Falcons for first place in the NFC South.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) runs against Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during the first half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) sacks Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the second half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales motions towards the field against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs with the ball against Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins showed improvement in Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but they will be without De'Von Achane for the rest of the season after the star running back suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the first quarter.

The knee injury happened on an 11-yard run on Miami's first drive. Achane got up quickly after a tackle, then stood still while flanked by a couple of teammates. He walked to the Miami sideline under his own power, was checked out in both the team's medical tent and locker room, and eventually returned to the Dolphins' sideline.

“My heart breaks for the guy,” coach Jeff Hafley said Monday. “Since I've gotten to know him, watching him grow and develop, earning the captain role, becoming a leader of the team, becoming such great energy, such a great teammate. I mean, I just love his energy. I love his enthusiasm.”

General manager Jon Eric Sullivan has said that Achane — who agreed earlier this year to a four-year, $64 million extension with $32 million guaranteed — will be a key part of the Dolphins' rebuild. He is seventh on the team’s all-time rushing list despite playing only 47 games and led the NFL with an average of 5.7 yards per carry last season.

Achane was expected have a hefty workload this season for the new-look Dolphins. He was either the ball carrier or the intended receiver on four of Miami’s first five plays Sunday before getting hurt and had 34 carries for 127 yards on the season.

The Dolphins will now turn to backup Jaylen Wright — who was inactive on Sunday because of a stinger — and second-year running back Ollie Gordon, who had 17 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown. Miami also used speedy receiver Malik Washington at running back on Sunday.

Gordon, who in college won the Doak Walker Award given to the top running back in the country, was praised by Hafley and teammates for taking over ball-carrier duties with no other tailbacks active following Achane's injury.

“I’m super proud of him,” Willis said. “I told him in the game, I was like, ‘Bro, you had to just man the ship alone.’ He had to do this side of the oars, this side of the oars. He got to grab the wheel. He had to flag. I was like, ‘Dang, he had to do it all today.’"

Despite Achane's injury, the Dolphins stuck with their plan of running the ball, keeping it out of the hands of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' potent offense.

Hafley said that philosophy won't change going forward.

“I want to run the football. That's important, and we have the offensive line to do it," he said. "I have a lot of confidence in those backs, so this isn’t like, ‘We can’t run the ball anymore.' These are NFL players.'”

Hafley said he liked the way Miami's defense responded after giving up some big plays and touchdowns early, which allowed it to keep the game close in the second half unlike in previous weeks. After giving up touchdowns on Kansas City's first two drives, the Dolphins stopped Mahomes & Co. on three straight possessions, including denying running back Kenneth Walker III on fourth down.

The Dolphins are still committing too many penalties in critical moments. An illegal shift negated a touchdown in the third quarter. Rookie safety Michael Taaffe was flagged for an illegal contact that wiped out what would have been the Dolphins' first sack of the season. Chop Robinson and Zach Sieler were flagged for penalties that extended a Chiefs drive that ended in a field goal.

Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. The rookie second-round draft pick has had a strong start to his NFL career. Rodriguez had a diving interception of Mahomes in the second quarter on Sunday and finished with a team-high three tackles for loss and a pass breakup.

Secondary. Mahomes carved up Miami’s young secondary, completing his first 11 passes until Rodriguez came up with the pick on a deflection off receiver Rashee Rice. The Dolphins have improved their run defense over the past two games, holding the NFL’s leading rusher in Walker under 100 yards for the first time this season, but they’re still giving up explosive plays.

Wright and WR Caleb Douglas (ankle) are day to day.

23 — Number of penalties the Dolphins have committed through three games.

The Dolphins will try to get healthy when they travel to face Minnesota on Sunday. The status of star Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson may be in question after he left in the first quarter of Sunday's win at Tampa Bay with an ankle injury.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Miami Dolphins Ollie Gordon II (0) celebrates first down during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Miami Gardens. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane (28) walks off the field after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane (28) stands with the coaching staff after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Gracen Halton (93) tackles Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)