NASHVILLE - Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry made it very clear he intends to play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Houston Texans with a playoff berth on the line for his team.
"I love football," Henry said Thursday. "I love playing the game, so I'm definitely ready."
The Titans downgraded Henry's status to questionable just before Houston clinched the AFC South Division title with a win last Saturday at Tampa Bay, then deactivated Henry just before losing 38-28 to New Orleans a day later. The Titans still rushed for 149 yards against the Saints, with Dion Lewis totaling 68 yards on 15 carries to lead a ground effort rounded out by Dalyn Dawkins (nine carries for 24 yards), wide receiver A.J. Brown (one for 49) and quarterback Ryan Tannehill (one for 8).
Henry, though, has rushed for 1,329 yards this season, with the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner at Alabama selected for the Pro Bowl for the first time.
Despite having last Sunday's game off to rest a sore left hamstring, Henry still ranks third in the NFL in rushing and is tied for third in the league with 13 rushing touchdowns. The Titans (8-7) hope he can help them secure what would be only their second playoff berth since the 2008 season, though it would come in a three-season span.
Henry practiced fully Thursday, and coach Mike Vrabel said he also looked great in Tuesday's session before taking Wednesday off for Christmas.
"Anytime you've got time to rest, it always helps a lot," Henry said of the day off.
Henry had said he would play even if his leg was hanging off. Asked about sitting out against the Saints, Henry inquired what Vrabel said about it. The coach said after the loss to New Orleans that it was an organizational decision to keep Henry out of the lineup.
After hearing the coach's response, Henry said Thursday, "That's what it was."
Henry's left hamstring had been bothering him for the past few weeks, yet he ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns on Dec. 8 in a 42-21 road win against the Oakland Raiders and ran for 86 yards on 21 carries Dec. 15 in a home loss to Houston.
With Henry not 100%, the Titans made the strategic decision to rest him - and still benefited when the Pittsburgh Steelers' loss to the New York Jets last Sunday put the Titans in position to clinch a playoff berth with a win at Houston (10-5).
"I'm rested," Henry said. "I'm supposed to be ready."