Panthers show their hand regarding the future of a key veteran

Cornerback Jaycee Horn's future with the Carolina Panthers is complicated.

It would be easy to assume the Panthers want to move on from Horn who has dealt with his share of injuries throughout his four-year career .

However, the 2021 draft pick is still a fixture in Charlotte. At least that is what David Newton of ESPN reported Friday morning.

The Panthers believe Horn is one of their cornerstones," Newton writes , "and according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, are preparing to pay top dollar to keep him."

Horn was unable to play in the final 14 games of his rookie season in 2021 because he fractured three bones in his right foot during a Week 3 win against the Houston Texans.

In his second year, he missed offseason workouts due to a Grade 2 pedal sprain in one of his ankles after playing 13 games. He then suffered a non-contact right hamstring injury in a Week 1 loss to the Atlanta Falcons that caused him to miss 10 games.

But that hasn't deterred Horn from believing in his ability to lead the Panthers' defense.

"I see what a lot of these other top corners are doing,'' Horn said. "I feel I'm capable of doing the same thing.''

If that proves true, Carolina is still willing to pay him like he is.