NFL Network's Wolfe: Don't expect '30-carry-a-game Derrick Henry' for Titans vs. Bengals

Dave Clark, Cincinnati Enquirer
·3 min read
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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) stuff arms Cincinnati Bengals cornerback LeShaun Sims (38) on a run during the first quarter of a Week 8 NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) stuff arms Cincinnati Bengals cornerback LeShaun Sims (38) on a run during the first quarter of a Week 8 NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.
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The Titans activated Derrick Henry from injured reserve Friday, and the star running back is expected to return from an extended absence and start for Tennessee in Saturday's Divisional Round playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Nashville.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport wrote Saturday morning about the metal plates Henry will have in his foot and shoe:

The player who was an MVP candidate before breaking the fifth metatarsal in his foot and having surgery had a steel plate inserted into his foot. That's not all.

Henry is also expected to play this weekend with a metal plate in his shoe, similar to those that players who have turf toe wear. Added protection.

The metal plate is a modified orthotic to protect the foot from stress and stop it from flexing. It takes pressure off the repaired area to keep it safe while he's running and cutting.

As for the plate, it's considered more secure and stable than simply inserting a screw into the repaired metatarsal. Henry actually has one plate and five screws in his foot.

From the Titans via Twitter on Friday afternoon:

NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported earlier this week that Henry will be part of a rotation at RB for the Titans, but might not be ready for the share of carries Tennessee fans are accustomed to from Henry.

Henry had 937 rushing yards on 219 carries in his eight starts this season before suffering a broken foot against the Indianapolis Colts.

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters Thursday that a final decision on Henry's status would come Friday. The team had until 4 p.m. Eastern to activate Henry.

Earlier this month, the Titans moved Henry to the team's "Designated for Return from Injured Reserve" list. He practiced in pads for the first time on Tuesday.

When asked Wednesday whether he expects to play against the Bengals, Henry smiled and said, "We'll see how this week goes."

What Wolfe said about Henry on "NFL Now":

More from tennesseetitans.com's Jim Wyatt:

"I'm happy to be back," Henry said. "You definitely appreciate this game a lot more when you are away from it, being away from teammates and just having that camaraderie and going to work every day and playing on Sundays each and every week. I definitely missed that.

"I'm just happy to back and I'm appreciative of everybody that helped me get to be able to be back and contribute during the playoffs. I am just happy to be back playing football."

Henry had 18 carries for 112 yards with a touchdown in the Titans' 31-20 loss to the Bengals in Cincinnati in Nov. 2020.

The Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith wrote about how the Bengals' run defense stacks up against Henry.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Derrick Henry to face Bengals with metal plates in foot, shoe