The NFL announced that Jacksonville Jaguars rookie cornerback CJ Henderson was named Pepsi’s Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week for Week 1. His acquisition of the award comes after a phenomenal showing against the Indianapolis Colts where he registered five tackles, three pass breakups, and a pick.
Starting the season off with a @pepsi Rookie of the Week!@HendersonChris_ became the 3rd player in @NFL history to post at least 5 tackles, 3 passes defensed and an INT in their pro debut. pic.twitter.com/r2CZ9Tah4x
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) September 18, 2020
Henderson’s performance is even more impressive when adding in the fact that it was literally his first game in the NFL due to their being no preseason because of the coronavirus pandemic. With Philip Rivers coming into Week 1 with a sensational 7-2 record against the Jags, most had concerns he’d move the ball with ease. Henderson and the Jags’ extremely young defense felt differently and held the Colts to just 20 points, though.
Henderson’s Week 1 performance is a really encouraging one for Jags fans as they witnessed both Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye get traded last October and this March, respectively. His performance is also good for the Jags’ front office, who took Henderson with a top-10 selection.
The Jags aren’t exactly foreign to the Pepsi Rookie of the Week award after watching the season Gardner Minshew II had in 2019. He was able to win the award seven times last year and Henderson will have up until the end of December to top such a huge achievement.
