In the upcoming 2024 season, former Titans running back Derrick Henry has joined the Ravens and is set to play a crucial role in the team’s offense. Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken expressed his desire to increase Henry’s workload even more, especially if the team can secure early leads and control the clock by running the ball.
Monken mentioned that if Henry were to carry the ball 300 times in a season, it would indicate a successful year for the Ravens. He emphasized the importance of Henry finishing games strong and being the primary closer for the team. Henry has a history of high carries, having reached over 300 attempts three times in his career, including an impressive 378 carries in 2020 where he rushed for 2,027 yards in a 16-game season.
With the NFL’s shift to a 17-game season, a player would need to average 17.7 carries per game to reach 300 carries in a year. Monken stressed the importance of keeping Henry healthy throughout the extended season and acknowledged Henry’s durability as a positive factor.
While quarterback Lamar Jackson remains the key player in the Ravens’ offense, Monken suggested that if Jackson can continue to provide the team with big leads as he did in the previous season, Henry may find himself as a crucial player in the fourth quarter, serving as the focal point in closing out games.
