Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry accepted his fourth Pro Bowl selection with a veteran’s perspective: He and his team could have played better.
“Sometimes you need a year like this to be able to grow, to be able to learn, to be able to reflect,” Henry said. “I am definitely going to do that once this season is over. If I wasn’t fueled before, I am definitely more fueled now, definitely more hungry.”
Henry is fifth in the league with 1,014 rushing yards and is eighth with 11 touchdowns entering the season finale on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium. But his 3.9 yards per carry — his lowest average in eight seasons — might hint at a regression at age 30.
Henry met with reporters on Thursday for what might be his final weekly press conference for the Titans, and naturally, there were questions about his status with the team going forward.
“Any player would love to play for an organization and finish out their career as long as they can. But there’s a business side and all those types of things that go on, and I understand that,” Henry said. “We’ll just see how it shakes out during the offseason.”
Henry expressed displeasure with himself and the team’s 5-11 season record and 0-5 mark in the AFC South.
“Going into this offseason, I am going to attack it as hard as I can. At the end of the day, it is about being consistent and playing at a high level. I am my worst critic, so I am going to be hard on myself regardless.”
Henry enters Sunday’s game with 9,349 career rushing yards and a franchise-record 89 touchdowns.
Sunday could be his last time in a Titans uniform, but Henry doesn’t want to overindulge in the emotions.
“There will definitely be a moment, last game of the season, I’ll be a free agent after this year, and I’ve been here eight years,” Henry said. “I’ll just be grateful to whoever shows up, and I know the fans will come out. Hopefully, we can finish the season strong.”
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