Mike Vrabel updates Derrick Henry's status ahead of playoff matchup vs. Bengals

On3 imageby:Tyler Mansfield01/18/22

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After clinching the top seed in the AFC for the NFL Playoffs, the Tennessee Titans are now gearing up for Saturday’s AFC Divisional Round matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. While the Titans are preparing for the game, they’re also working to get star running back Derrick Henry back into form ahead of Saturday.

Henry, who’s been out since Week 8 after suffering a foot injury that required surgery, remains on injured reserve but is expected to be activated this week and suit up for the Titans when they take the field Saturday against the Bengals.

With all eyes on Henry and plenty of questions being asked, Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel provided an update on his star running back’s status on Monday.

“It’s going to be a big week of practice for us to continue to get Derrick back out there and get him acclimated to running the football and to seeing blocking schemes and seeing where guys are and to see where the cuts are,” Vrabel said, as reported in The Tennessean.

While getting Henry back on the field will be important for the Titans, Vrabel made it clear that his team will have to successfully run the ball against Cincinnati and not be one dimensional.

“We’re going to need to run the football,” Vrabel said. “We’re going to need to do that to be who we are and to be at our best and not be one dimensional. To be able to run it to set up things to be able to run our offense. That’s always been critical.”

Henry – who’s rushed for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns on 219 carries this season – and the Titans kickoff against the Bengals at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. CBS will be carrying the national broadcast. Tennessee is a 3.5-point favorite.

Report: Tennessee Titans update running back Derrick Henry’s status

Tennessee Titans standout running back Derrick Henry is close to making his highly anticipated return. After suffering a fractured foot in a Halloween win over the Indianapolis Colts and undergoing surgery days later, Henry is set to be back on the field for the Titans just in time for the playoffs.

According to a report from Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network, Tennessee is expecting Henry to be at practice on Jan. 5.

“Titans are expecting star RB Derrick Henry to be at practice tomorrow, I’m told, setting the stage for a playoff return. He’s been ramping up toward this,” Wolfe wrote on Twitter.