C.J. Henderson – Carolina Panthers CB
As stated previously, Jaycee Horn’s absence from the lineup in Week 17 could be cataclysmic if the Carolina Panthers cannot hope without his Pro Bowl-caliber talent. And it needs to be a collective effort to secure another shock triumph on the road.
Horn’s injury propels C.J. Henderson to the No. 1 cornerback spot with Donte Jackson already on season-ending injured/reserve. A role many anticipated he’d fill much quicker after such an exceptional college career that resulted in the Jacksonville Jaguars taking him No. 9 overall in 2020.
Things haven’t gone according to plan for Henderson since then. But this is a massive opportunity to make a big statement that his career trajectory is finally moving upwards at long last.
Steve Wilks laid down the gauntlet to Henderson and he’s responded with much-improved consistency in recent weeks. However, there’s just no telling for sure how he’ll get on versus Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.
Hopefully, for the player and the Panthers, Henderson can take that next step and cement his future with the franchise. Carolina cannot afford him to be anything less than perfect, which represents a crossroads moment for a player whose shown real signs of life since Wilks took charge long-term.
This can be Henderson’s defining moment since entering the league. But the margin for error is non-existent.