The Pittsburgh Steelers have started the 2024 season out strong, and they are currently preparing for their biggest test yet as the undefeated Los Angeles Chargers are coming to Acrisure Stadium this Sunday. Pittsburgh looks a lot like the team did in 2023, with the offense struggling at times and the defense carrying most of the weight. General Manager Omar Khan is still looking for ways to improve the team, and one of the main areas the Steelers may need some help is at cornerback.
The Pittsburgh defense is loaded with talent, but the depth on the back end is questionable. In 2023, the Steelers had to resort to activating guys off of the practice squad once injuries began to pile up, and Khan is already searching to find the best talent available to ensure the organization is ready if that were to happen again. On Tuesday, the team hosted several defensive backs for tryouts according to Aaron Wilson.
The team has already signed D'Shawn Jamison to the practice squad, but the most prominent name on the list of players they worked out is CJ Henderson. Henderson was a top ten pick back in the 2020 NFL Draft, as he was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the ninth overall pick. His career hasn't panned out, and he hasn't been able to live up to his draft status.
Henderson has bounced around a bit since being drafted back in 2020. He only stayed with the Jaguars for one full season, and was traded to the Carolina Panthers shortly after the 2021 season began. He was traded along with a fifth-round pick for a third-round pick and tight end Dan Arnold. He was with Carolina through the 2023 season, which is when his rookie contract expired as Carolina declined his fifth-year option. He signed with the Houston Texans during the 2024 offseason, but was released at the end of training camp.
Henderson has struggled to find his footing in the NFL, and maybe a spot on the practice squad in Pittsburgh could help him. It would also be an ideal landing spot for him due to the lack of depth at corner, and the fact that Head Coach Mike Tomlin loves reclamation projects.
The struggling corner would likely spend time on the practice squad, but there could certainly be a world where he gets elevated. Injuries could happen, or he could prove to be valuable on special teams. As of now, Pittsburgh has Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson as their two sure-fire starters on the outside, but the depth behind them is questionable. Cory Trice Jr. has been impressive, but Darius Rush has yet to prove much and Cam Sutton is suspended for a large chunk of the season.
Steelers' Cornerback Group Has Been A Surprise So Far In 2024
There were some worries about the Steelers' group of cornerbacks going into the 2024 season. Fans pretty much knew what they were getting with Porter Jr., who showed some signs of being a lockdown corner during his rookie season in 2023. However, Jackson was knew to Pittsburgh. He was acquired during an offseason trade, and his play had begun to decline while with the Panthers. So far in Pittsburgh, he has been great. His name is called multiple times a game for coming up and making tackles in the run game, and he even got a crucial interception in the team's Week 1 victory.
Trice has also been impressive, as it is his second season in the league, but his first season actually seeing action after being hurt his entire rookie year. He picked off Bo Nix in the end zone during the Steelers' Week 2 victory, and was impressive during the preseason as well. The group is much stronger than it was in 2023, and should be able to keep the Steelers in more games.
