'Contain The King': Texans Look To Stop Tennesse Titans RB Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry must like how the grass creates running lanes at NRG Stadium since he's torched the Houston Texans over his past three appearances.
In 2019, the Tennessee Titans' All-Pro tailback rushed for a whopping 211 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-14 win. A year later, he notched an even better 250 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 41-38 victory. Henry missed the trip in 2021 but returned a year later and surpassed the 200-marker again, with two scores attached to the stat sheet.
Henry's been a one-man wrecking crew in his "other home" over the past seven seasons, and Sunday might produce similar results with the status of Houston's defensive line.
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) is tackled by Houston Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) during the second half at Nissan Stadium.
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
"It's a new game. We have new players playing. Possibly they do," said defensive coordinator Matt Burke. "I don't know. In and out. We can't just -- my caution was more like, ‘Hey, we can't just show up and think that what happened in that game two weeks ago is just going to happen.’ We worked for that.
"It doesn't really matter who is going to be in for us. Our approach is going to be the same."
The approach that held Henry to nine yards on 16 carries in a 19-16 overtime win two weeks ago might be effective, but the personnel could be rattled. Defensive end Jonathan Greenard hasn't practiced since suffering an ankle injury in last week's loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Rookie pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. returned to the field for the first time in two weeks Friday at limited capacity with his ankle tapped. Prior to that, he'd been working on the sidelines with a trainer, trying to get back to full speed.
“He’s made some strides,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said of Anderson. “He’s definitely moving in the right direction. He’s out working out, so we’ll see what he can tolerate as the week goes on, and we’re very hopeful to get Will back."
Losing Anderson or Greenard isn't a death sentence, but rather a setback. Having both out creates challenges in the pass-rushing department. Combined, Greenard and Anderson have 17.5 sacks.
Jerry Hughes, Derek Barnett, and Khalil Davis have five combined and are used more as rotational pieces than full-fledged starters.
Henry's inability to move the chains also factored into stability up the middle. Both starting defensive tackles Maliek Collins and Sheldon Rankins have been limited in practice heading into the week.
Should one, if not both players be ruled out, the Texans would turn to former Titans starter Teair Tart. Last week, Tart was inactive against the Browns, but he could see significant reps in what's considered a must-win game for Houston.
"He's got a little chip on his shoulder this week," Burke said of Tart facing off against his former squad.
Since 2019, Henry has averaged 5.5 yards per play or more at NRG Stadium. He's found the end zone at least twice, and racked up over 200 yards per contest.
Last week against Seattle, Henry found his mojo, rushing for 88 yards and a score while throwing a touchdown pass during the first quarter. The Titans averaged 5.2 yards per play, well over their 3.7 average on the season.
"There's going to be a commitment from them to run the ball, and we have to have the same approach and mindset to stopping it regardless of who is on the field for us," said Burke.
With a win, Houston (8-7) remains alive for the AFC South crown. A loss, plus whatever happens between Jacksonville's and Indianapolis' respective matchups, could send the Texans headed toward off time over the postseason.
Quarterback uncertainty in Nashville could lead to an emphasis on the run game. Henry's resume in Houston makes him the potential leading man, while rookie Tyjae Spears should see action between reps.
The Texans have been playing with the "next man up" mantra since Week 1 of training camp. Now, they're playing to the tune of "stop King Henry" persona regardless of who takes the field against him.
"We can’t rest on what we did last game," said Ryans. "We got to show up with the right mentality, we have to play the right way – have to play good football. It’s going to take everyone to stop Derrick because he’s such a phenomenal running back.”
