The Tennessee Titans have been teasing Derrick Henry’s return via their social media accounts.
The rest of the league, especially teams bound for the AFC playoffs, can only shake their heads in disbelief as the reigning Offensive Player of the Year takes the field sooner than later.
The Titans designated him to return from injured reserve, and he will have his first taste of practice since suffering a foot injury in Week 8.
All hail the King! Happy birthday @KingHenry_2 👑👑👑 pic.twitter.com/1bUCiWIgKc
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 4, 2022
While there’s no definite timetable for his return to action yet, the mere thought of him taking his place in Tennessee’s backfield is downright scary.
Imagine what he could bring for one of the hottest teams in the league.
If there’s a mercy rule in football, opposing teams would instead invoke it rather than try to slow him down.
On Pace For A Historical Season
Henry’s inclusion to the 2,000-yard club last season was the primary factor for winning OPOTY.
However, he had a legitimate chance of being the only running back in NFL history to have consecutive 2,000-yard seasons if not for the fracture he suffered against the Indianapolis Colts.
After that game, King Henry already had 937 yards, which led the league at that time, to go with 10 rushing touchdowns.
Achieving the 2,000-yard milestone would be a walk in the park if he played in 17 regular-season games.
.@1kalwaysopen_ on when @Titans teammate @KingHenry_2 might return. pic.twitter.com/X32cD85QSi
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 31, 2021
By then, he averaged 117.1 yards per game, which still ranks first among running backs in 2021.
Multiplying that number by nine (the remaining number of games left) would have given him an additional 1,054 yards.
Add that figure to his 937, and he would be just nine yards short of 2,000.
Derrick Henry is on another level 😳
(via @FieldYates) pic.twitter.com/GbmisjwAmP
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 6, 2022
But Henry is anything but average because he had games of 182, 157, 130, and 143 rushing yards.
Getting another 2,000 yards would make him a strong candidate for OPOTY and league MVP.
Henry Is A Cheat Code
It would be an anomaly if Mike Vrabel did not win Coach of the Year.
No offense to Matt LaFleur, but what the Titans head coach did is more remarkable.
Typically, it would be a disaster for a team if they lose the player that takes most of their snaps.
Instead, the Titans elevated as a group and found ways to win.
The King is back. 👑 @KingHenry_2 @Titans pic.twitter.com/MbUwhz0kzf
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 5, 2022
From their 6-2 record when Henry got injured, Tennessee won five of eight games to hold the top spot in the AFC playoffs.
On offense, they compensated for Henry’s absence with Adrian Peterson, Jeremy McNichols, Dontrell Hilliard, and D’Onta Foreman.
Their passing game didn’t suffer as well, thanks to Marcus Johnson, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and A.J. Brown.
But the most significant improvement was on defense, with Jeffery Simmons disrupting the line’s interior.
Titans GM Jon Robinson and HC Mike Vrabel built a team that played a NFL-record 88 players this year, played the whole 2nd half of the year w/o their face of the franchise Derrick Henry & are a win over HOU next week away from being AFC’s top seed.
What a great year & story.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 2, 2022
Kevin Byard and Kristian Fulton combine for 27 passes defended and seven interceptions.
If everyone sustains their improved level of play with Henry returning, it’s game over for the AFC.
He’ll be hungry to reestablish his devastating form, and he’ll unleash that stiff arm until he reaches the end zone.
That said, whoever they face in the postseason must call every deity for divine intervention.
Derrick Henry is coming back at the PERFECT time.. LOOK AHT for the Titans#PatMcAfeeShowLIVE #Titans pic.twitter.com/FwhdsAp3Xb
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 5, 2022
But even that gesture won’t be enough to slow down Henry because he’ll come out fresh after not playing for over two months.
No one can stop his return in conquering the yards, and all that’s left to do is to appreciate his dominance.
NEXT: NFL World Reacts To Derrick Henry News
