Ravens Don’t Plan for Henry to Receive 30 Carries per Game

In Owings Mills, Maryland, it seems that Derrick Henry’s era of leading the NFL in rush attempts may be coming to an end this season. Following a challenging outing in the Baltimore Ravens’ season opener, where he managed only 46 rushing yards on 13 attempts, head coach John Harbaugh suggested that the team will not rely on Henry in the way they have in previous seasons.

During a practice session, Harbaugh stated, “We didn’t bring Derrick [Henry] in here to be the guy that gets the ball 30 times a game. He’s done that before. That’s really not the plan.” This marked a significant shift from Henry’s previous role, particularly considering his history as the focal point of the Tennessee Titans’ offense.

This offseason, the Ravens signed Henry to a two-year, $16 million contract, making him their marquee free-agent acquisition. In his five previous seasons with the Titans, Henry was known for his heavy workload, leading the league in carries four times.

Harbaugh expressed a desire for more unpredictability within the Ravens’ offense. He emphasized that the Ravens will alternate between relying on their quarterback Lamar Jackson and their running game led by Henry. “I think that evaluation will be best made over the course of the season,” Harbaugh explained. “And I’m very confident, there are going to be games where Derrick is going to go for 100-plus [yards] or more, and you’re going to be asking me, ‘Why does Zay [Flowers, wide receiver] only have two catches?'”

In their recent 27-20 defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs, Henry showcased some early promise, rushing five times for 17 yards and a touchdown on the Ravens’ initial offensive drive. However, his production dwindled afterward, as he added only 29 yards on eight carries for the remainder of the game.

Notably, the 13 carries he managed in the opener were his lowest for a season debut since the 2018 campaign. Furthermore, one of the most surprising aspects of the game was Henry’s participation; he was on the field for only 46% of Baltimore’s offensive snaps, tallying 37 plays—six fewer than backup running back Justice Hill.

Reflecting on the game, Henry expressed a mix of determination and self-awareness. “There are a couple of runs I’d probably want back and do different,” he acknowledged. “But [I] try to do the best I can to help this team win, and we came up short. One game doesn’t define the whole season; we’ve got plenty more to go play. [We’ll] watch some film, learn from it and get better. [I’ll] be self-critical of myself and continue to improve.”

This blend of optimism and realism indicates that both Henry and the Ravens are keeping their sights set on a longer season ahead. While his role may evolve throughout the year, it appears that the franchise is focused on utilizing a more balanced attack, aiming to maximize the strengths of both their passing and running games.

As the season progresses and the Ravens adjust their strategies, it will be interesting to see how Henry’s contributions influence the team’s dynamics. With Harbaugh’s commitment to varying the offensive approach, fans might witness a new chapter in Henry’s career that could redefine his impact on the field.