Panthers notebook: Henderson update, Horn limited, Roberts return to practice
C.J. Henderson needed just a couple of days of rest on his injured ankle before returning the practice field outside of Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday.
The Carolina Panthers starting cornerback was injured in the first quarter of the team’s 24-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. He was replaced by second-year cornerback Keith Taylor Jr., who was routinely outmatched in coverage against Pittsburgh receivers George Pickens and Diontae Johnson.
Henderson tried to return to the game, but was ultimately sidelined during the final three quarters.
“Just following protocol, not making anything worse,” Henderson said Tuesday about his return efforts. “Just going with what the trainers told me.”
But 48 hours later, Henderson was officially listed as a full participant during the first workout of the week.
“He was out there, he was moving around well,” interim head coach Steve Wilks said. “Looking good, no setbacks, so we’ll see how it goes, day to day.”
Henderson has filled in opposite No. 1 corner Jaycee Horn since Donte Jackson suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 10. Henderson has had his ups and downs, but played well in the team’s upset road win against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14.
With the Panthers still in the NFC South division race, Carolina could use its best available players on the field.
If Henderson can play on Saturday against the Detroit Lions, the Panthers will feel a bit better about their matchup against an explosive passing offense.
“The quarterback, to me — (Jared) Goff — he controls everything,” Wilks said. “When someone talks about his career, coming back — if you want to say that, I totally agree — because he is doing a phenomenal job in orchestrating and running that offense.
“Protecting the football, which is always the main key to any success, putting the ball in the right spot. I mentioned all of the weapons they have on the offense side of the ball, but most importantly, he’s getting protected. They are doing a tremendous job, and he’s orchestrating everything.”
Horn rocks green jersey in practice
Unlike Henderson, Horn (shoulder) was limited in practice on Tuesday. Horn, a potential Pro Bowler, wore a green “avoid contact” jersey during the workout.
Horn is the Panthers alpha cornerback, and his playmaking presence will be necessary against a Lions offense that employs playmaking threats like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Josh Reynolds, D.J. Chark and Jameson Williams.
“From what I saw today, I feel pretty good,” Wilks said about Horn’s status for Saturday. “But, you know, it is day to day, so we’ll see exactly how it goes.”
Along with Horn, special teams linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (hamstring), tight end Ian Thomas (thigh) and safety Myles Hartsfield (ankle) were also listed as limited participants. Right tackle Taylor Moton was given his typical veteran day off to start the week.
Roberts’ 21-day window activated
Receiver/returner Andre Roberts (knee) had his 21-day window activated on injured reserve to start the week.
Roberts injured his knee in the season opener against the Cleveland Browns. He has been on injured reserve since.
“The outlook is that hopefully we can get him back on the field as quickly as possible,” Wilks said. “We’ve gone through this process throughout the year. Today, just out there looking at him, we know what he can do just on past history, so any kind of spark in the kicking game for us, particularly in the return game, it’s going to be special. Hopefully, we can be able to get him out there soon.”
Roberts signed a one-year deal with the Panthers this offseason. The three-time Pro Bowl returner had spent the previous 11 seasons bouncing around on the league on one-year deals.
During his lone game in a Panthers uniform, Roberts returned two kickoffs for 35 yards and a punt for 10 yards.
He has averaged 26 yards per kick return and 8.7 yards per punt return during his career. The Columbia, South Carolina, native has six total return touchdowns on his resume.
The Panthers have 21 days to activate Roberts to their 53-man roster. That timeline places Roberts’ deadline around the season finale against the New Orleans Saints.
Quick hits
▪ Prior to practice, the Panthers released cornerback Tae Hayes from the practice squad. Hayes was released from the 53-man roster prior to the Week 14 win against the Seahawks and re-signed to the practice roster last week. Hayes played in five games on special teams this season. He produced three total tackles in limited action.
▪ Wilks said after practice that he and GM Scott Fitterer have discussed the possibility of bringing in a cornerback or promoting one from the practice squad. Madre Harper and Gavin Heslop are the two corners left on the practice squad after the release of Hayes.
▪ The 2023 Pro Bowl rosters will be announced at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The fan vote for the annual all-star event was completed last week. Those votes — along with the voting of players and coaches — will determine the Pro Bowl selections.
▪While Wilks didn’t specifically name any of the Lions’ offensive linemen, he did say that he thought two to three of them could be named All-Pros after the season. Left tackle Taylor Decker and right tackle Penei Sewell have garnered praise throughout the season, as has center Frank Ragnow.
▪Wilks singled out Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond when discussing the Lions’ playmakers. St. Brown leads the team with 89 catches for 974 yards and six touchdowns. Raymond is one of three players in the NFL with a punt return touchdown this season, and he’s added 39 catches for 454 yards on offense.
This story was originally published December 20, 2022 at 4:19 PM.
