C.J.

Henderson

The former 2020 first-rounder can earn up to $20 million on his new deal, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, with $11 million being guaranteed. Henderson was drafted No. 9 overall by the Jaguars in 2020, but has since bounced around to the Panthers, Texans, and Steelers, and was actually cut by the Falcons in August 2025 during final roster cutdowns after camp. Since then, Henderson has played his way not only onto the 53-man roster, but into a starting role. He has started six of the eight games he has appeared in for Atlanta this season, totaling 41 tackles, nine pass breakups, and one fumble recovery while earning a PFF coverage grade of 65.3. Playing almost exclusively on the outside, he has allowed opposing receivers to go for 252 yards and three touchdowns on 44 targets.

The 2020 first-rounder only played in Week 3 of the preseason, notching a 71.7 PFF coverage grade in 14 coverage snaps. Henderson, 27 in September, will look to catch on elsewhere as the season starts.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Henderson still has to pass his physical. The deal will be official once that happens. Henderson spent a month on the Steelers’ practice squad last year before being called up to the active roster. He did not, however, appear in a single game as a Steeler. His last live reps came with the Panthers in 2023. He made 10 starts, appeared in all 17 games, and broke up six passes with two interceptions. The team correspondingly released OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr. with an injury designation.

Henderson logged zero defensive snaps with the Steelers last season. He would likely compete for a backup role, should the Falcons bring him aboard.

The ex-Jaguars draft bust started 17 games in Carolina over the past two seasons. He was a versatile but ineffective presence for last year’s league-worst team. Still somehow only 25, he will look to provide depth and take a step forward under defensive-minded head coach DeMeco Ryans.

Henderson suffered a concussion in the second quarter against the Colts and wasn’t able to recover in time for Thursday night’s game. With EDGE Brian Burns (concussion) also ruled out, this Panthers defense is not in a great spot, even against the Bears.

Henderson was injured while making a tackle on Jonathan Taylor in the second quarter. He’s Carolina’s top cornerback, so it would be a big loss regardless, but the Panthers are also without top safety Vonn Bell. That could create some issues in the second half against Gardner Minshew, Michael Pittman Jr., and the Colts offense.

Henderson left the contest late in the first quarter and was seen on the sideline with ice on his ankle. He was declared questionable to return.

This isn’t all that surprising given how Henderson’s career has unfolded. Since being selected by the Jaguars with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Henderson was traded to the Panthers for a third-round pick and tight end Dan Arnold last September, and has struggled to hang with NFL receivers since entering the league. He started 10 games last season for the Panthers and allowed a career-high 642 yards and five touchdowns while earning a PFF coverage grade of 48.9. He’ll enter 2023 on a prove-it year with the Panthers.

Henderson has reportedly been on the trading block since August. With Carolina needing secondary help after losing Jaycee Horn indefinitely to a foot injury, the Panthers made the move, dealing Arnold to Jacksonville. The Jags lost James O’Shaughnessy (ankle) for at least a few weeks and started journeyman TE Jacob Hollister Sunday against Arizona. Arnold should immediately step in as the team’s top pass-catching tight end in an offense that made O’Shaughnessy fantasy viable for the season’s first couple weeks. Arnold has flashed when given the chance. He had seven catches for 84 yards in three games with the Panthers. Rookie Tommy Tremble -- who caught a 30-yard pass and scored on a short rushing attempt in Week 3 -- profiles as Carolina’s pass-catching tight end after Arnold’s departure. The Darnold-to-Arnold era was short lived.