The Titans enter Saturday’s AFC playoff game against the Bengals with a boost — a 6-foot-3, 247-pound boost.
Running back Derrick Henry was activated off injured reserve on Friday and he will become a central figure in the AFC Divisional round game in Nashville. Henry had been on IR since Nov. 1 after he fractured his right foot against the Colts. When he went down, Henry was leading the NFL with 219 carries for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games.
The question now becomes just how effective Henry can be after 2 ½ months on the shelf. The Titans tried to put Henry through some contact in practice this week, having defensive players bang into him as he went through drills.
“It has been a while since he has had contact,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said. “We are going to have to do these things that will come close to replicating what is going to be asked of him in a football game.”
Henry can be a game-changer for the Titans if healthy. He said he felt good after practicing this week.
Derrick Henry’s status will have a major effect on the Titans’ game plan for the Bengals. Robert Sabo“I felt great,” Henry said Wednesday. “I just wanted to get some pads on. Haven’t had them on in a while and got some contact going.”
The Titans (12-5) are the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They went 6-3 following Henry’s injury, a remarkable run after losing an MVP candidate. After getting the first-round bye, they must now prepare for the Bengals, who are riding high after their first playoff win in 31 years.
Getting Henry back changes the game for the Titans. He said he feels no difference between his two feet other than the steel plate he now has in his right foot. The Titans have said they will monitor Henry during the game to decide on his workload.
Henry will face a Bengals defensive line that is banged up. Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi suffered a foot injury in their win over the Raiders last week and is out for the rest of the playoffs. Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has been cleared to play after spending the week in concussion protocol. Defensive end Sam Hubbard has sore ribs and defensive tackle Mike Daniels left the game against the Raiders with a groin injury and is expected to miss the game Saturday.
“He definitely weighs on you,” Bengals defensive tackle D.J. Reader said. “He’s a big back, but you’ve got to do your job of not letting him get going out there and put hits on him. Make sure we’re wearing on him just as much as he’s wearing on us.”
