Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry's usage rate has dipped as the season has gone along, a tactic quarterback Ryan Tannehill says is “by design.”
Since the Titans need Henry to be as fresh as possible for a deep postseason run, Tennessee has made it a point to conserve his body as much as possible.
“Yeah, I mean that’s been by design,” Ryan Tannehill said about Derrick Henry's usage rate, via Terry McCormick of titaninsider.com. “He started off the season on a really high rate of carries per game and something that’s probably going to be unsustainable not only as you get deep into this year or into his career. Wanted to take something off his plate there and give our other guys some opportunities to make plays.
“Derrick’s going to continue to be a huge part of our offense and the workhorse that he is. But it’s been by design to keep his carries to a manageable level, a level to where he can still go out and make some huge plays for us and get into a rhythm but where he’s not getting 40 carries a game and stacking up an insurmountable amount of reps. So really just trying to be smart and diligent with that. We know that Derrick’s going to go out there and do a good job anytime he’s in there.”
Henry has carried the ball 201 times on the season for the Titans. He's racked up 946 rushing yards and scored eight touchdowns.
Even though Henry is built like Superman, he takes a lot of big hits and that is eventually going to cause some wear and tear on his body. With that being said, it's a smart move for the Titans to limit his carries so the 26-year-old isn't laboring once the playoffs start, assuming the Titans make it.
The Titans are 6-3 on the season and tied for first place in the AFC South standings with the Indianapolis Colts.
Follow Us
Subscribe