Titans have unique NFL distinction for second time in three years
NASHVILLE — Most NFL fanbases would be overjoyed to have one of most decorated active players at a skill position on their favorite team. Tennessee Titans fans get to have two at the same time in 2023. The Titans have a unique distinction for the second time in just three years with both the active rushing yards leader (Derrick […]
NASHVILLE — Most NFL fanbases would be overjoyed to have one of most decorated active players at a skill position on their favorite team. Tennessee Titans fans get to have two at the same time in 2023.
The Titans have a unique distinction for the second time in just three years with both the active rushing yards leader (Derrick Henry) and active receiving yards leader (DeAndre Hopkins) on the same roster.
Back in 2021, the Titans were in a similar position with Adrian Peterson and Julio Jones on the 53-man roster.
Henry's 8,335 career rushing yards is the most by any active player. Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott is right behind with 8,262 career rushing yards. Henry is 1,665 yards away from becoming the 32nd player in NFL history to rush for 10,000 yards. If he were to surpass 10,009 career yards this season, he would move ahead of Eddie George as the Oilers/Titans franchise all-time rushing leader.
With 11,298 career receiving yards, DeAndre Hopkins is currently 36th on the NFL's all-time leaderboard and first among active players. Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans is the next highest with 10,425.
If Hopkins were to match his yards per game production from last season (79.7), he would be on pace to total 1,354 receiving yards in 2023. That level of production would move Hopkins up to 23rd on the NFL's all-time list.
Do career stats always translate to success in a given season? Definitely not. All you have to do is look back at that 2021 Titans team to see that. Peterson and Jones might have been the active leaders at the time, but they combined for just 524 all purpose yards and 13 games played.
You can't be the active leader without playing a lot of football. Sure, that might mean greater risk of injury or decline, but it also means that a player has invaluable experience and is consistently productive.
The Titans had more roster turnover this offseason than ever before. There are 24 new players on Tennessee's 53-man roster that were not with the organization last season. With so much changing and a lot of unproven talent on the offensive side of the ball, having the leadership and consistency of Henry and Hopkins is so important for Tennessee.
It's going to be a lot of fun to watch these two legends take the field as teammates for the first time this weekend.
Tennessee Titans 2023 Season Predictions & Overview
Predicting the Titans’ win-loss record for 2023.
