His weekly pay just increased roughly three-fold. And his accrued seasons clock is back ticking in regards to future pensions and service time.
But aside from such procedural minutia, a promotion from the practice squad to the active roster this week made little impact on veteran cornerback C.J. Henderson.
“I feel pretty much the same,” Henderson said prior to Pittsburgh Steelers practice Thursday. “They were working on getting me involved either way. I am just excited for the opportunity.”
A No. 9 overall draft pick just 4½ years ago, Henderson joined the Steelers via the practice squad four weeks ago. The Steelers added him to their 53-man roster this week, Henderson confirmed, when other teams were attempting to sign him off the practice squad to their active roster.
Henderson is expected to make his Steelers and NFL season debut during Monday night’s home game against the New York Giants. He said he “most likely” will have a role both on defense and on special teams. The bulk of Henderson’s career has been spent as an outside corner but he has taken snaps at myriad positions in a secondary.
“I am looking forward to it,” said Henderson, who has 49 games and 32 starts of NFL experience over the past four years for Jacksonville and Carolina. “Whatever they need me to do, I am looking forward to it and will show them the best that I can.”