Jimmy Horn Jr. got waived this past Tuesday after muffing a punt in the season-opening loss to the Chicago Bears, and just like that, the Carolina Panthers needed a new return man. Enter John Metchie III, who is now tabbed as their new primary kick and punt returner. This is wild, especially since Metchie III has only seven kick returns over his previous three NFL campaigns.
New Guy, New Pressure
Horn Jr.’s exit, seemingly heading to the Cleveland Browns, leaves a huge hole, and Metchie III is stepping right into it. The dude is listed as the No. 1 option on the depth chart for this weekend’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Talk about getting thrown into the fire! You’ve gotta wonder how much prep he’s had for this, given his limited experience.
Intentional Reps Over Magic Pills
Metchie III isn’t sugar-coating it. When asked about getting ready, he told team reporter Kassidy Hill, “I think just practice just like anything else… It’s more about how intentional you can be with it.” He’s talking about focusing on those “intentional reps,” even when you’re tired, instead of just catching the ball blindly. Sounds like the right mindset, right? He did show some flashes in the preseason this summer, pulling in 111 yards on four kickoffs and eight yards on one punt return. Plus, the guy has speed and agility, racking up 293 career yards after the catch on 73 receptions. That raw talent is definitely there.
The Panthers are hoping Metchie III thrives in this new role, because nobody wants to keep searching for consistency in the return game. This weekend against the Falcons, every kick and punt return is gonna be a moment to watch. Let’s see if Metchie III can lock it down.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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