Derrick Henry had been in the midst of arguably his best game of the season, but the Tennessee Titans RB suffered an injury on Sunday. What happened to Henry in Week 13, and what’s his current injury status?
Derrick Henry Injury Update
Henry had already posted 21 carries for 102 yards and two touchdowns before going down following a first-down run early in the fourth quarter of the Titans’ matchup against the AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts.
He was slow to get up, then headed to the blue medical tent on Tennessee’s sideline. An NFL concussion expert went into the tent with Henry, indicating he was being evaluated for a brain injury.
#Titans RB Derrick Henry left the game after getting injured on this run.
He’s now headed to the locker room.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 3, 2023
After emerging from the medical tent, Henry subsequently went to the Titans’ locker room and never returned to Sunday’s game.
Third-round rookie Tyjae Spears took over as the Titans’ lead back with Henry sidelined. Spears, who totaled more than 1,800 yards during his final season at Tulane, had only played 32 fewer offensive snaps than Henry entering Week 13 but had handled almost 100 fewer touches than the veteran back.
While initial reports suggested Henry was in the NFL’s concussion protocol, head coach Mike Vrabel indicated on Monday that Henry is not in the protocol and has no symptoms. However, Tennessee will monitor the veteran back ahead of its Monday night game against the Miami Dolphins.
Henry is in the NFL’s concussion protocol, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday m morning. Tennessee plays the Miami Dolphins on Monday night in Week 14, so Henry will have an extra day to clear the league’s brain injury protocol. Still, it could be difficult for Henry to pass the requisite tests in time for MNF.
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Henry, who turns 30 in January, took at least 300 carries in three of the previous four seasons. He’s scheduled to become a free agent in 2024.
Fantasy Fallout From Henry’s Injury
Fantasy managers were starting to have flashbacks of the former fantasy greatness we saw from Henry after he found pay dirt twice for a second straight game. If Henry were to miss any time in the coming weeks, Spears would immediately enter the RB2 conversation with RB1 upside with a feature role.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Derek Tate