2023 is, undoubtedly, the most important pro season for Carolina Panthers cornerback CJ Henderson. And luckily for the 24-year-old, the stars may be aligning.
Head coach Frank Reich spoke with reporters ahead of Tuesday’s practice session. He was asked if starting cornerback Donte Jackson, who sustained an ankle injury in this past Friday’s preseason loss to the New York Giants, would be ready for Week 1.
“I think so. I think so,” Reich said with a bit of uncertainty. “But, I’m anticipating so, yes.”
While he would return to action, Jackson briefly left the exhibition after sustaining the injury. The sixth-year defender is also coming off an Achilles tear of his opposite foot from last season, one that forced him to miss the final seven games of the 2022 campaign.
If he can’t go, it may be Henderson who gets the starting nod along with fellow first-rounder Jaycee Horn. And if he does, Reich may be just fine with that.
“He’s been great,” he replied emphatically of Henderson’s summer. “I shouldn’t say that, you get a little excited. But he’s been Mr. Consistency. Yeah, he’s just been consistent, been good. Really excited about what he’s put on tape.”
The 2020 ninth overall pick has not lived up to that billing over his three NFL seasons. He’s also entering a contract year after the Panthers declined the fifth season of his rookie deal back in May.
So, with or without Jackson in the lineup, Henderson will have to bring that consistency over into the fall to keep that title (and perhaps a job) in hand.
