Carolina Panthers cornerback CJ Henderson may be staring down the barrel of a make-or-break campaign in 2023.
Henderson, who’s entering the final season of his rookie pact, spoke with reporters following Saturday’s training camp outing. When asked what he has to prove, especially after having his fifth-year option declined by the team back in May, the former ninth overall pick said he just has to keep it moving.
“Just prove to myself I can stay consistent and work at the things I need to work on,” he stated. “It’s contract year, it’s big for me. They declined the fifth, but it’s not the end of the world. Keep working and moving forward.”
Well, he’s certainly been working and moving this summer, having already made his second interception of camp during this afternoon’s session. Head coach Frank Reich commented on Henderson’s play.
“They made a couple really nice plays,” he said of Henderson and fellow corner Keith Taylor Jr. “I’m really happy with the playmaking that I’ve seen out here in this first block.”
Henderson had a rough end to the 2022 season, particularly in Carolina’s Week 17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He and Taylor Jr., in place of an injured Jaycee Horn, were largely responsible for the 207 yards and three touchdowns wide receiver Mike Evans broke the Panthers’ playoff hopes with.
But the 24-year-old is feeling something a bit extra heading into the fall.
“Yeah, there’s an edge to me,” he said. “A different edge. Ya know, that feeling. So, yeah, that’s definitely gonna help.”
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