Following a disheartening 19-16 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, Tennessee running back Derrick Henry expressed contemplation about his future, especially as the defeat officially extinguished the Titans’ playoff hopes.
Reflecting on the situation, Henry, known for living in the present, acknowledged the possibility that this moment could mark the conclusion of his tenure with the Titans. Disappointed by the premature elimination from playoff contention with three games remaining, he expressed a desire to conclude his time with the team on a stronger note.
The Titans face a crucial decision regarding the 29-year-old Henry, who is poised to enter free agency after the expiration of his four-year, $50 million contract signed in 2020. With a projected $91.8 million in cap space this offseason, Tennessee has the financial flexibility to retain Henry, but the emergence of rookie Tyjae Spears, who logged 410 snaps just one less than Henry this season, adds a layer of complexity to the decision.
Henry’s performance on Sunday marked a low point in his starting career, managing only 9 yards on 16 carries. This starkly contrasted with his recent average of 203.6 rushing yards in the past five games against Houston. Despite his personal struggles, Henry acknowledged the team’s collective shortcomings, crediting the Texans as the superior side with answers for every challenge.
In the current season, Henry has accumulated 214 carries for 875 yards and 10 touchdowns across 14 games. His impressive career stats include 9,210 rushing yards, the second-highest in Oilers/Titans history behind Eddie George, and a franchise-leading 88 rushing touchdowns.
Looking ahead, the Titans have a home game against the Seattle Seahawks, followed by a trip to Houston, before concluding the season at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Henry expressed his commitment to giving his all in these final three games, aiming to leave everything on the field.
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