[jwplayer BUf70XZ6]
Former Florida cornerback CJ Henderson showed why he was selected in the top 10 of April’s 2020 NFL Draft during his professional debut with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
The rookie, starting on the outside in his first NFL game, finished with a total of five tackles, an interception and three passes deflected.
Henderson’s first major contribution in the game came early in the second quarter. The Indianapolis Colts led the Jaguars 7-0 and were driving to try to expand their lead. Henderson picked off an underthrown pass from quarterback Phillip Rivers and returned it 22 yards, setting up a Jacksonville touchdown that kept his team in the game.
He exited the game briefly in the fourth quarter to be evaluated for a concussion, but he returned during the final drive as the Jags led 27-20. Indianapolis got down to the Jacksonville 26, largely thanks to a roughing the passer call, but on 4th and 5, Henderson broke up a pass to T.Y. Hilton, turning the ball over on downs with under a minute to go.
The deflection sealed a Jaguars victory, and Henderson showed the Jacksonville front office that it made the right call in tabbing him to replace Jalen Ramsey as the star in the secondary.
[lawrence-related id=23311,22408,21123]
[vertical-gallery id=22498]