In reflecting back on his outing last Thursday versus Jacksonville, Derrick Henry opened the eyes of the Tennessee Titans’ coaching staff to give him more opportunities.
The third-year running back from the University of Alabama posted a career game with 238 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 17 carries. He tied Pro Football Hall of Famer, Tony Dorsett, with the longest scoring run in National Football League history of 99 yards.
RELATED: Derrick Henry on pace for career game for Titans versus Jaguars
Henry’s size at 6-3/247 pounds and brute strength powered the Titans to a 30-9 win over the Jaguars, to improve to 7-6 and still in the hunt for a playoff berth.
Along with teammates and others across the league in shock, Henry was nominated for FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week. He joins Ezekiel Elliot of the Dallas Cowboys and rookie Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants in the voting.
Henry has 712 rushing yards with nine touchdowns on 145 carries through 13 regular season games.
Derrick Henry @FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week nominee #TitanUp #AirAndGround Week 14 ? » https://t.co/XrQE7V2P1I pic.twitter.com/GpjD89P2N5
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 11, 2018
For a second consecutive year, the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner is closing in on 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the Titans. After totaling 881 yards in 2017 – 744 rushing, 137 receiving – Henry has 136 receiving yards to pair with his rushing totals for an output of 848 yards.
He and Barkley will square off next week.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
