HOUSTON – A runaway truck heading down a steep hill. That’s what it can feel like to try to tackle powerful Baltimore Ravens star running back Derrick Henry.
And the Texans are more cognizant than most about that experience.
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No NFL team has had less success traditionally against Henry than the Texans’ defense. Henry has rushed for 1,578 yards, his most against any NFL team, along with a 5.64 average per carry and 13 touchdown runs.
That includes him running roughshod against the Texans last Christmas in a 31-2 blowout at NRG Stadium during which he rushed for 147 yards. At 6-foot-2, 252 pounds, with speed and toughness unrivaled by most backs, Henry represents a long day at the office for most defenders.
“You gotta get in front of him, man,” Texans linebacker and team captain Azeez Al-Shaair said of Henry. “They say don’t get in front of the train, but you gotta get in front of a train before he gets going.” He’s a great player, obviously he’s an All-Pro type of player."
The Ravens have drawn criticism internally and externally for not involving Henry more frequently.
Playing without quarterback Lamar Jackson due to a hamstring injury, the focal point of the Ravens’ offense Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium figures to be Henry. Especially after coach John Harbaugh publicly pointed out that the team needs to call Henry’s number more often.
“The mindset is go win the football game,“ Henry said. ”Nothing’s changed.”
The five-time Pro Bowl selection has rushed for just 284 yards and three touchdowns on 49 carries. Although he’s averaging 5.8 yards per carry, Henry’s usage has dwindled since rushing for 169 yards and two touchdowns in a season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills. He had only 23 yards on 11 carries against the Cleveland Browns, 50 yards on 12 carries with one score against the Detroit L ions and a season-low eight runs for 42 yards in a loss last week to the Kansas City Chiefs.
One reason why perhaps Henry, who rushed for 2,027 yards for the Tennessee Titans in 2020, isn’t getting the football more often: fumbles.
He leads the league with three fumbles after fumbling just three times in 17 games last season when he rushed for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns.
“Henry is an explosive player,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “They have people that you have to keep eyes on. You have to be aware of everyone. Of course, we all understand Lamar and the caliber of player that he is.
“He’s an outstanding player, one of the best players in our league, one of the best players of this generation. He changes the game tremendously and he’s done an outstanding job with that team.”
Without Jackson, though, the Ravens will lean on backup quarterback Cooper Rush, wide receivers Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and DeAndre Hopkins, tight end Mark Andrews and Henry.
“Derrick Henry is a good player in his own right,” Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. “Those are separate challenges regardless of who’s playing quarterback. Derrick Henry’s big, explosive. If he gets on his path and runs his track, he’s hard to bring down. That’s a challenge in itself.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com