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Tennessee Titans superstar Derrick Henry has been, without question, the best running back of his generation.
Henry led the league in rushing in both 2019 and 2020 and leads the league with 7,985 yards since the start of the 2018 season. That’s almost 1,500 yards more than Nick Chubb in second place with 6,511.
But even Henry, who often seems to defy human capability, cannot stop father time.
The 29-year-old is averaging a career-worst 3.8 yards per carry this season.
With his contract winding down and rookie Tyjae Spears impressing, it sounds like Henry might be headed out the exit in Tennessee following the 2023 season.
“Definitely today you had that feeling,” Henry said after the Titans 19-16 overtime loss to the Houston Texans, which eliminated them from playoff contention. “We had a hope of kind of slipping in there. and then being eliminated, knowing its three games left. I’ve been here my whole career. I definitely want to go out strong, which isn’t the case. Just trying to give it my all these last three games and leave it all on the field.”
The superstar Alabama product had 20 touches for just 10 yards in the contest.
CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr reveals Henry had the fewest scrimmage yards in a game since 1950 for any player who had 20 touches or more. He’s the first player to have 20 touches and fewer than 15 scrimmage yards in a game.
Tennessee’s offensive line has struggled throughout the season. But Henry isn’t passing blame.
“I put a lot on myself. I feel like I could be better and do a lot of things better,” he said. “But at the end of the day, this is what it is. I’m always going continue to work hard and work to continue to improve. Never going point the finger and never going to blame anybody else. If anything, I’m gonna criticize myself first if I do, not anybody else, and that’s just what it is this year.”
Spears, a third round pick out of Tulane, is averaging 4.7 yards per carry and has proven a dangerous weapon in the pass game, with 40 receptions for 288 yards.
It may very well be the end of an era in Tennessee. But what an era it was.