Derrick Henry took another step toward playing in the divisional playoffs on Saturday by participating in contact drills at Titans practice.
Whether the powerful running back is able to play when Tennessee hosts the Cincinnati Bengals in Nashville on Saturday afternoon is a week-long question with multiple variables, according to head coach Mike Vrabel.
But Vrabel said Henry would move in the right direction if he came out of the contact-allowed drills unscathed. He remains a non-roster participant in a bid to return from a broken foot that required surgery.
Henry hasn’t played since Oct. 31 but his window to be activated to the 53-man roster opened Jan. 5, giving the Titans time to get him on the field and set benchmarks for his return.
The NFL’s leading rusher at the time of his injury, Henry missed eight games but still finished sixth among running backs in rushing yards (937) in 2021.
“It has been a while since he has had contact,” Vrabel said. “We will have a week of work, see how he feels, and make a decision.”
D’Onta Foreman filled in with Henry out and had 533 yards on 166 carries (4.3 yards per carry). Vrabel said Foreman would remain involved in the gameplan regardless of Henry’s gameday status.
–Field Level Media