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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons are planning to sign cornerback C.J. Henderson, according to a Thursday report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The transaction is pending Henderson's medical review, per Rapoport.
Henderson was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of the University of Florida.
As a rookie, Henderson played and started eight games for the Jaguars. He made 36 tackles along with an interception, forced fumble and six pass breakups. In Week 11, the Jaguars placed Henderson on injured reserve with a groin injury. He did not play another game that season.
On Sept. 27, 2021, the Jaguars traded Henderson to the Carolina Panthers in exchanged for tight end Dan Arnold. Henderson played two games for the Jaguars before the trade and another 10 with the Panthers. He started seven games between the two teams.
Henderson stayed with the Panthers through the 2023 season. His sole full season of his work in his career came in 2022, when he played in 17 games, with 10 starts, and made 58 tackles, two interceptions and six pass breakups. He also forced and recovered a fumble.
Henderson then signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 but did not play in a game. The Steelers placed Henderson on injured reserve due to a neck injury in Week 11.
Through his four years in the NFL, Henderson has played in 49 of a possible 67 games, starting 21. He has totaled 172 tackles, good for an average of 43 per season, and 16 pass breakups, with three interceptions.
The Falcons return both of their starting cornerbacks from last season in AJ Terrell Jr. and Mike Hughes. Atlanta then listed Lamar Jackson and Clark Phillips III as the backups on its latest unofficial depth chart. Dee Alford is the starting nickel, and Billy Bowman Jr. is his backup.
Atlanta plays its second preseason game against the Tennessee Titans on Friday inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
