What Derrick Henry said about his availability for Saturday's playoff matchup against the Bengals
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry has not played a down of football since Oct. 31, 2021, when he fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his foot, called a Jones Fracture, in the team’s Week 8 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. While some declared Henry’s season to be over and Tennessee’s Super Bowl aspirations to […]
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry has not played a down of football since Oct. 31, 2021, when he fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his foot, called a Jones Fracture, in the team’s Week 8 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. While some declared Henry’s season to be over and Tennessee’s Super Bowl aspirations to be dead, the Titans kept finding ways to win. Despite record-setting injury and health issues, the Titans managed to secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC and now await the Cincinnati Bengals with a trip to the AFC Championship Game on the line.
King Henry’s workouts, many posted to his Instagram account, are legendary and what we have heard of his rehab thus far, is no different. However, it wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago that we have been provided a glimpse into his readiness. Henry began doing some light work at Titans practice two weeks ago but, on Wednesday, his status for Saturday’s Divisional Round became more clear.
For the first time since that fateful Halloween day, Henry stepped to the podium to address the media on Wednesday. Typically, teams don’t allow players to speak with the media if that player is not expected to play in the upcoming game.
Henry expressed his gratitude to everybody who helped him along the way during his recovery and stated how much more he appreciates the game of football after spending so much time away from it this season.
While it was refreshing to see the most dominant running back in football back on the podium, everybody wanted to know the same thing – does Derrick Henry expect to play on Saturday?
“See how this week goes and we’ll see where I’m at on Saturday,” said Henry with a bit of a smirk on his face.
Like Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, Henry is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding his playing status versus the Bengals. The initial timetable laid out for Henry’s return was 6-10 weeks from the initial injury. Henry is now over 11 weeks removed from his injury and he looks and sounds like he is ready to run out of the tunnel in Nissan Stadium this weekend.
Anything could happen from this point up until the 3:30 CT kickoff Saturday afternoon, but all signs are pointing toward Henry being available for the first time the Titans hosted a Divisional Round playoff game since 2008. Questions about Henry’s workload will continue to pop up throughout the week, but his presence alone changes the way defenses look at and game plan for Tennessee’s offense.
While no one knows what lies ahead for Henry and the Titans on the football field this weekend, the team’s fanbase will tell you one thing is for certain — Winter is coming.
Featured image via Trevor Ruszkowski – USA TODAY Sports
