Steelers Promote former Top-10 Draft Pick from Practice Squad

The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran cornerback C.J. Henderson from their practice squad to their active roster, according to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Henderson is a former first-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars and has been on the team’s practice squad since Sept. 25.

The Steelers lost starting cornerback Donte Jackson to a shoulder injury in Sunday’s Week 7 win over the New York Jets. Jackson had been playing through an AC sprain he suffered in Week 3. It’s unclear in the injury on Sunday was a re-inflammation of that first injury or a new ailment. 

James Pierre replaced Jackson on Sunday, and should probably be expected to start on Monday Night Football against the New York Giants if Jackson can’t play.

Cory Trice Jr., who entered the season as the team’s backup cornerback, is on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury, and while he is eligible to return to play this week, he has not yet opened his 21-day practice window, so that seems unlikely.

In addition to Henderson, the Steelers have cornerbacks Zyon Gilbert, Thomas Graham, D’Shawn Jamison on their practice squad. 

Darius Rush, who started the season as the fourth cornerback, was waived and is now on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.

C.J. Henderson with the Carolina Panthers during a game against the Washington Football Team on November 21, 2021. — All Pro Reels Photography

Henderson, 25, was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Florida for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He started eight games as a rookie in 2020 and seven more in 2021, but quickly fell out of favor in Jacksonville. Henderson was drafted by Doug Marrone in 2020, but clashed with new head coach Urban Meyer in 2021.

Henderson was traded to the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 27, 2021, in exchange for tight end Dan Arnold and a swap of draft picks. He started in five games for Carolina in 2021 and then 10 in 2022 and seven in 2023. Henderson became a free agent at the end of the 2023 season and signed with the Houston Texans, but he was released on Aug. 27.

In his time in Carolina, Henderson was the No. 2 cornerback, alongside current Steelers corner Donte Jackson. Jamison, a slot cornerback, also played for the Panthers in 2023.

In 49 career games, starting 32, Henderson has recorded 172 tackles (139 solos), 16 passes defended, six tackles for a loss, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack and fumble recovery.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Henderson has played almost exclusively outside cornerback in his NFL career. 

The Steelers have not announced the transaction and will have to make a corresponding move to clear space on the 53-man roster.