Tennessee Titans star Derrick Henry wants Frank Gore-like longevity in the NFL — a rarity at RB

Derrick Henry aspires to have the longevity at running back that Adrian Peterson and Frank Gore displayed in their careers.

At 28 and coming off his first major injury, the Tennessee Titans star faces skeptics wondering whether his best days are behind him. Many high-usage running backs have fallen off in their 30s, if not much sooner. But Peterson and Gore have been exceptions.

In 2015, Peterson – a future Hall of Famer – led the league in carries, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in his age-30 season with the Minnesota Vikings en route to first-team All-Pro honors. At 36, he played with the Titans and Seattle Seahawks last season, his 15th in the NFL.

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Gore, a five-time Pro Bowler, played 16 seasons in the NFL and never had fewer than 599 rushing yards in a season. He played at least 14 games in all but one season.

“They were the pedestals as far as running backs playing more than they’re expected in recent years,” Henry said Thursday. “If I can make it through like those guys, but just focus on the right now. They’ve been a huge role model for me. … They set the standard high so I hope I can live up to it.”

Henry also said he has respect for Giants star running back Saquon Barkley, who the Titans face the challenge of tackling in Sunday’s season opener (3:25 p.m., Fox) at Nissan Stadium.

The 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Barkley has played just 15 games the last two seasons due to injury. He was considered one of the best running backs in football his first couple years in the NFL, when he rushed for 2,310 yards and 17 touchdowns.

“He can juke. I feel like he can do it all,” Henry said. “I think he’s a generational talent. With this game comes injuries. He’s had some hiccups there, but everybody goes through adversity. The type of player Saquon is, I’m sure he’ll bounce back. I’m hoping it’s not Week 1, but wishing him all the best. I’ll be excited to see him after the game.”

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: Tennessee Titans' Derrick Henry wants Frank Gore-like longevity in NFL