NASHVILLE, Tenn. – When the guy on the chain gang holding the sign that tells everyone what down it is flips it from two to three, it’s typically a signal for Derrick Henry to head to the sideline.
Players and coaches like to say third down is the money down, but most of the time when the money down arrives the Titans’ best player exits the field.
Often, it makes sense.
Pool photo/ Donald Page, Tennessee Titans
While Henry has become a better pass catcher, he still has limitations in the passing game. While he appears to be doing better work in his chances in blitz pick-up, all indications are he’s not the preferred option there.
And while I am all for running him as much as necessary and worrying about the wear and tear later – a strategy the Titans also seem to be taking – he does need some snaps off.
Per profootballreference.com, he played 59 percent of the Titans’ snaps in 2019, 66 percent last season and 71 percent so far this season.