Derrick Henry hits career milestone no other running back may ever reach again
By Matt Sidney
Welcome to the 10,000 rushing yards club, Derrick Henry! It took the future Hall of Fame running back seven carries against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5 to achieve the feat. The Baltimore Ravens running back continues to stack up the accolades. And his play this season suggests he'll accrue many more before the season's over.
Heading into the Week 5 clash with the Bengals, the running back was just 18 rushing yards away from cementing his place in NFL history. Well, welcome to the history books, King Henry. As if the 10,000 career rushing yards weren't enough, King Henry also scored his 100th career touchdown earlier in the game.
In the middle of the second quarter, Derrick Henry rushed for a five-yard run to break the milestone. For the game, he has 7 carries for 21 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. While he surpasses the 10,000-yard milestone, it'll be interesting to see just how many more rushing yards he can tack on during today's matchup.
Derrick Henry is having a career year for the Ravens
Derrick Henry’s impact on the Ravens this season has been nothing short of game-changing. After a relatively quiet start to the season, Henry has hit his stride, establishing himself as the centerpiece of Baltimore’s ground attack.
His Week 3 performance against the Cowboys was a turning point, where he rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns, showing exactly why the Ravens brought him in. This breakout game silenced any doubts about his integration into the offense.
Since then, Henry’s ability to take over games has been on full display. His 87-yard touchdown run against the Bills, which set a franchise record for the longest rush in Ravens history, showcased his mix of speed and power. These explosive plays have elevated Baltimore’s offense and also helped take some pressure off quarterback Lamar Jackson, giving the Ravens a more balanced and unpredictable attack.
Henry’s presence has reshaped Baltimore’s offense, as his physicality and game-breaking ability have kept defenses on their heels. He’s also fueled the Ravens’ league-best rushing attack, making it one of the most feared units in the NFL. As Baltimore gears up for tougher opponents, Henry’s continued dominance will be crucial to their success down the stretch.
Henry's career milestone comes at the expense of their heated division rival Bengals, which also has to feel sweet for the Ravens and their fans. Additionally, he might just be the last running back in NFL history to reach the milestone as teams are moving more towards a running-back-by-committee approach over recent years.
The closest active running back is Dallas Cowboys' Zeke Elliot. He has 8,985 yards but has declined significantly over the past few seasons. With his recent production, he will have to play for a couple more seasons to achieve the career milestone.
Now that he's passed the 10,000-yard mark, it's now onto 11,000. for the NFL's leading rusher.