Derrick Henry's return to Tennessee Titans includes contact at practice, Mike Vrabel says

The Tennessee Titans will look to get Derrick Henry reps against contact this week, coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday, as the star running back continues to ramp up ahead of the AFC divisional-round game at Nissan Stadium.

While Henry is expected to be activated off injured reserve and play Saturday (3:30 p.m., CBS) against the Cincinnati Bengals (11-7), Vrabel said the Titans (12-5) won’t make a decision until after the week of practice.

Vrabel had noted a day earlier that this would be a “big week” of practice for the reigning offensive player of the year.

“It’s been awhile since he’s had contact,” Vrabel said of Henry. “We’re going to have to do these things that come close to replicating what’s going to be asked of him in a football game. We’ll have a week of work, we’ll see how he feels and make a decision.”

HOW TO WATCH: How to watch the Tennessee Titans' AFC Divisional Playoff game vs. Cincinnati Bengals

ROSTER MOVE: Tennessee Titans designate rookie FB Tory Carter to return to practice from injured reserve

MORE: What Tennessee Titans' Mike Vrabel thinks about Cincinnati Bengals' offense: 'Really explosive'

A two-time Pro Bowler, Henry missed the last nine games, but he returned to practice in Week 18.

Vrabel said he’s done “well” and has looked “fine” since rejoining the team on the field.

In Henry’s absence, the Titans have maintained a strong run game led by D’Onta Foreman, who had 133 carries for 566 yards and three touchdowns in nine games.

Tennessee ended the regular season with the fifth-ranked rushing offense (141.4 rushing yards/game).

“I think we kind of stuck to our guns, and I think the stats will show that,” quarterback Ryan Tannehill said Tuesday. “We ran the ball really well, even with Derrick out.

"If he is back (for Saturday), it’ll be nice to have him back. But I feel like we’ve stuck to our guns and our game plan and we can insert him back in.”

Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at barthur@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Derrick Henry return from injury to include Tennessee Titans practice contact