3 reasons the Tennesee Titans might not make the playoffs in 2022

2. The bill may be due for Titans running back Derrick Henry in 2022

Derrick Henry can single-handly win games by wearing defenses down, This has helped him be one of the most dominant running backs in recent years and earn the King Henry moniker.

As recently as 2020, Henry ran for more than 2,000 rushing yards, which is somewhat surprising when you take into account that modern offenses are built to throw the ball and gain yards in chunks. Nevertheless, the former Alabama standout has shown there’s still room for old-school running backs in the NFL right now.

Last season, Henry was on his way to another 2,000-yard season but he then fractured his foot and ended up missing nine games. He was back for the playoffs, but he wasn’t fully healthy and wasn’t nearly as effective as he was prior to getting hurt.

Maybe, just maybe, Henry’s monster workload in recent years has started to catch up with him. He toted the rock a combined 286 times in his first two seasons — a relatively low figure for a lead back — but he then had 303 carries in 2019 and 378 in 2020. Moreover, he was closing in on another 300-plus carry season in 2021 before he got injured. There’s a chance he will pick up where he left up but there’s an equal chance his body won’t hold up.

Even if Henry loses a step, he should still be able to clear 1,000 rushing yards but the Titans need him to play at a top-notch level if they want to make the playoffs.