Steelers Sign former Top-10 Draft Pick
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed cornerback C.J. Henderson to their practice squad, the team announced on Wednesday morning. Henderson was one of three defensive backs to work out for the Steelers at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side last week.
The Steelers placed cornerback Cory Trice (hamstring) on injured reserve and promoted cornerback James Pierre to the active roster on Tuesday. So Henderson will take Pierre’s spot on the practice squad.
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. Behind starters Jackson and Joey Porter Jr., the Steelers have Darius Rush and Pierre on the active roster at outside corner.
Henderson was a highly-touted player coming out of the University of Florida, recording 93 tackles (66 solos), six interceptions, 28 passes defensed, four sacks, and eight tackles for a loss in 33 career games.
Henderson certainly hasn’t lived up to his top-10 draft status in the NFL, but with his extensive starting experience, he could be a better option on the 53-man roster than Rush.
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