6 burning questions Panthers fans are asking after Matt Rhule’s firing

The future of C.J. Henderson and Terrace Marshall Jr.

Thoughts on C.J. Henderson & Terrace Marshall Jr.? – David Portillo

Thank you for your question, David. This is something I was wanting to touch on during and following Sunday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

I would like to start this discussion with cornerback C.J. Henderson, who’s been under fire for some of his lackluster performances as of late, especially on Sunday. As a natural reaction, fans will usually call for a player’s head after consecutive inconsistent performances. This was certainly the case a few days ago.

Henderson had a couple of poor reps and lackadaisical plays that did not sit well with fans and coaches. It seemed as though the corner was benched for Keith Taylor Jr. as a result.

I don’t believe Henderson is a bad player. He was a gifted cornerback with the potential to be a lockdown on the outside. His best plays came from man coverage and Cover 2 and the former Florida Gator has shown to be consistent with the trail technique in Cover 3 shells.

Allowing the former No. 9 overall draft selection to play more press-man could allow Henderson to gain more confidence going forward. With Matt Rhule and Phil Snow out the door, I could see better play coming.

Terrace Marshall Jr. was active this past weekend for the Carolina Panthers. In his first action of the season, the wide receiver hauled in four catches for 30 yards, showing off the skill set that made him a second-round draft pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The former LSU Tiger’s size and catch radius were on full display, catching passes outside of his frame. He showed good sideline awareness bringing down a reception along the boundary late in the fourth quarter in garbage time. The flashes that Marshall provided were great to see, especially for someone looking to break through and become an impact receiver on Carolina’s roster.

Marshall got plenty of flack during the preseason and training camp thanks to nagging injuries. Now that he’s healthy, could we see more going forward?

There is certainly a chance, especially if the Panthers decide to move on from Rashard Higgins.