Jimmy Horn Jr.'s second year with the Carolina Panthers ended after just one game as the team waived him on Tuesday following their loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 1.

The Bears devoured the Panthers, 59-37, at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, with Horn muffing a punt, which led to a field goal for Chicago. It proved to be extra costly for Horn.

The 24-year-old wide receiver was drafted by Carolina in the sixth round in 2025.

Now, the question is: Who will replace Horn on special teams? The Athletic's Joe Person showed an “unofficial depth chart,” showing John Metchie III as the kick returner, with Xavier Legette backing him up.

“This appears to be the answer. Or at least the starting point for the week,” wrote Person on X.

Unofficial depth chart. But this appears to be the answer. Or at least the starting point for the week. pic.twitter.com/M89u8gnH8m

— Joe Person (@josephperson) September 15, 2026

Horn's awful gaffe made it easier for the Panthers to decide to release him since they also wanted to make room for Tyrel Dodson, who was promoted from the practice squad after another team tried to sign him, according to ESPN's Mike Kaye.

Last season, Horn had 11 receptions for 108 yards in 13 appearances.

The 26-year-old Metchie, meanwhile, is in his first year in Carolina after spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Jets last season. He logged 33 receptions for 274 yards and two touchdowns.

While coach Dave Canales did not exactly mention Horn, he stressed that they cannot afford to make mistakes.

“Playing smart, that's where we fell short. It was about executing our plan. It was about timely and costly penalties. Certainly, the turnovers. Seventeen 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,” said Canales in a report from the Associated Press.

Metchie could get his chance as return specialist in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons.