Titans putting too much burden on Derrick Henry
The Tennessee Titans have reached the playoffs each of the past two years, but have they done enough around star back Derrick Henry?
This offseason has been an odd one for the Tennessee Titans.
Tennessee added a pair of much-needed pass rushers in Bud Dupree off the edge and Denico Autry up front, but also watched as edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Adoree Jackson and safety Kenny Vaccaro were allowed to leave either by release or free agency.
Offensively, the concern is even more significant. Tennessee added young receiver Josh Reynolds but let star receiver Corey Davis go to the New York Jets while watching tight end Jonnu Smith head off to the New England Patriots. This leaves an incredible amount of work ahead for running back Derrick Henry.
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Derrick Henry, 27, has endured 681 regular-season carries over the pat two seasons while also notching four heavy work loads in playoff affairs. Now, without Davis and Smith, it stands to reason Henry will have even more carries as he gets a bit older with less proverbial tread on the tires.
However, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. isn’t concerned about the situation due to Henry’s work ethic and mindset, per the team’s official website:
“It’s no secret that Derrick is a large part of what we are, and who we are as a football team. We try to be smart as we prepare. Nobody prepares for the rigors of the season more than Derrick. I’m not going to say that Derrick is the hardest working player in football; I wouldn’t do that to the players around this league. But I can’t imagine that any of them work harder than he does, and he understands that, and the toll that he is going to take.”
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While it’s fair to think the bruising back can withstand the punishment, it’s equally fair to wonder if that’s going to happen. Last year, Henry rushed for 2,027 yards, becoming the eighth player in league history to hit the 2,000-mark alongside O.J. Simpson, Barry Sanders, Eric Dickerson, Jamal Lewis, Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson and Terrell Davis.
If Henry can take the increased toll and keep moving, maybe the Titans remain the favorite to win the AFC South for a second straight year. If not, it’s hard to see quarterback Ryan Tannehill keeping the team afloat with a leaky defense and little passing game to speak of.
