CHARLOTTE — When the Carolina Panthers drafted Jimmy Horn Jr. back in April, there was hope he'd get to this point, anticipation he'd develop into a dynamic playmaker, building off his career at Colorado.

Now, the rookie is going to get his shot.

After David Moore was placed on injured reserve this week with an elbow dislocation, Dave Canales and the staff plan to have Horn active for game day against the Dolphins, his first such action of the season. It will primarily be for the offensive side of the ball, but there is a chance to see time as a returner.

"This is the reason he's here, this developmental part of knowing that these opportunities come up and this isn't the way that we would all love to see this happen with D-Mo getting injured, but opportunities come in a bunch of different ways, and here we are and I'm excited for Jimmy to get out there," Canales said Wednesday.

When Horn arrived in the spring as a sixth-round draft pick, there was always the belief he could be an exciting chess piece for the offense. But Canales and staff knew it would take time to get him ready, harness his energy and shiftiness, and channel it into production. And while the Moore injury may have fast-tracked the timeline for availability on game day, coaches have seen the young receiver take the strides in recent weeks they'd been hoping to see develop.

"When I know Jimmy is confident about what's happening, you see the speed and ability really show up, and that's what's happened in the last two weeks as he's continuing to get himself ready because you just never know, and here we are," continued Canales. "And he's done the work, he's working really hard, it's all hands on deck, he's into it, he's excited about it."

Horn, for his part, is a little less effusive. But as he explained to reporters this week, while previewing his first game action in the NFL, that's just Jimmy: big, excited emotions; tempered reactions.

"That's really just me, somebody told me I'd be looking too mad, but I really be chilling. Just locked in," admitted Horn to a burst of laughs. "I ain't really got like no crazy emotions going on right now. I'm just focusing on what's right here in front of me, you know. I ain't focusing on what's in the future. I just grind and keeping my head down. I feel the same every day I come in here.

"I'm the same person in and out, you know, so it's just opportunity that I got to take advantage of."

That steady attitude while his game progressed stood out to coaches and teammates, giving them confidence that the rookie is ready to make his debut.

"I'm super excited," said quarterback Bryce Young. "Someone who's been in the background working, just ready to go, and just his patience, his willingness to do whatever it is for the team, scout team, he's been going 100 percent, giving us all a great attitude. A guy that wants to work, he's excited to be here every day regardless of what the circumstances have been, so I'm super excited for him."

Added Horn of his time waiting and learning, "I was able to focus all around on my game, you know, being able to help the defense get good releases in while I'm out there, working on my craft, running good routes, and really just every day it's a process working on learning plays better and all that, so just staying down for real, it helps."

During his college career (two years at USF and two at Colorado), Horn brought in 162 receptions for 1,967 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 17 rushes for 128 yards and another touchdown on the ground. He also returned kickoffs all four years, averaging 21.1 yards per return, and taking back one for a touchdown. During his final two years at Colorado, the Buffaloes had Horn return punts as well. He averaged 6.42 yards per punt return.

"I feel like we all specialize in different things. Obviously, everybody knows his potential," said fellow rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan of what Horn brings. "He's fast, crafty, good route runner, but I feel like he's got that dawg in him, so you know, he's really just been waiting his turn, and he has a chance to go out there Sunday and show off his talents."

It would make sense this sort of lead-up and excitement from teammates would cause pressure on the young receiver. That excitement would turn to nerves and become overwhelming. But for Jimmy Horn Jr., that's not the case.

"I apply pressure," he said. "I don't let pressure apply to me."