NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Titans have moved a step closer to having their biggest star back on the playing field, opening the 21-day window Wednesday for running back Derrick Henry to begin practicing.
On Monday, Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel said a decision was expected by midweek on Henry’s status, and the team announced Wednesday morning before practice that the two-time reigning NFL rushing champion had been activated. The next decision will be when – and if – to put the 2020 NFL offensive player of the year on the active roster.
“See how he responds and ask him to start doing some of those things he’s going to need to do in the football game,” Vrabel said Wednesday. “No different than we’ve done with any other guy who’s come back from injured reserve and as they start the return to play.”
Henry, who turned 28 on Tuesday, broke his right foot Oct. 31 and had surgery Nov. 2 to repair his fifth metatarsal. Henry was leading the league with 937 rushing yards when he was put on injured reserve, and he still ranks sixth despite missing eight games.
The 6-foot-3, 247-pounder, who has been out nine weeks – the Titans had their open date Dec. 5 – has averaged 117.1 rushing yards a game and 4.3 yards per carry with 10 touchdown runs this season. Henry rushed for 2,027 yards on 378 carries (5.4 average) in 2020 and 1,540 on 303 (5.1) in 2019.