Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry has been getting nonstop texts this week heading into Sunday’s reunion with the Tennesse Titans.
“It’s still like family there,” Henry said Wednesday. “So it’s always love, but it ain’t going to be much love on Sunday, though.”
Henry has tried to downplay his first game against his former team even though he is still regarded as one of the most dominant players in Titans history. During his eight seasons in Tennessee, he won two rushing titles (2019 and 2020) and was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2020, leaving the Titans as the franchise’s second all-time leading rusher behind Eddie George.
On Sunday, Henry becomes the fourth player to face a team that he produced at least 9,000 yards rushing and 90 rushing touchdowns for in his career. The others were: Emmitt Smith, who played the Dallas Cowboys in 2003; LaDainian Tomlinson, who played the Chargers in 2011 and Adrian Peterson, who played the Minnesota Vikings four times after leaving there.
“It’s going to be a crazy moment to be playing against the team that I came in the league playing for,” Henry said. “But I ain’t trying to make too much of it, though.”
Henry joined the Ravens in March 2024, signing a two-year, $16 million contract. Before Henry reached an agreement with Baltimore, the Titans had signed running back Tony Pollard to a three-year, $21.75 million deal.
On Wednesday, Henry said Tennessee made no attempt to keep him in free agency, per ESPN.
“They shipped me out,” Henry initially said, before adding, “I don’t want to say it like that. It’s always love.”
How did it make Henry feel to not receive an offer from the Titans?
“It was bittersweet,” Henry said. “I think I knew the writing was on the wall throughout that season and they were ready to move on. Good things don’t last forever. So it was time for me to find a new home and I knew what that home I wanted it to be and it was here.”
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said Henry’s teammates are aware of the magnitude of this game.
“It not only means a lot to him but for us, too,” Jackson said. “We want him to win versus those guys.”
Since Henry joined Baltimore, he has produced 3,817 yards rushing and 38 rushing touchdowns — both of which lead the NFL over that span. During that time, Pollard has totaled 2,334 yards rushing and 10 rushing touchdowns.
When he knew his time was over in Tennessee, Henry said the Ravens were at the top of his list when he hit free agency.
“I knew where I wanted to be.” Henry said with a smile. “So definitely been happy over these last couple years.”
Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons was asked how to tackle Henry. They were team captains for the Titans and ran onto the field together before games.
“Hit his ass,” Simms said. “He puts on his pads just like we put on the pads. He’s a bigger running back. (Giants’ Cam) Skattebo, he’s a shorter running back. Much respect to Derrick but you don’t see Derrick trying to run over people. You guys saw Skattebo trying to put his head down and run over people last week. And guess what we had to do? Hit him. Nothing changing with Derrick. We need all 11 hats to the ball.”
Culled from ESPN
