Derrick Henry injury: Who is Derrick Henry’s backup on Titans depth chart?
Derrick Henry’s injury shuffles the Tennessee Titans depth chart with the team fearing he’s out for the year. Henry’s backup is Jeremy McNichols.
Derrick Henry will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of his foot injury suffered in the Tennessee Titans overtime win vs. the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
The team fears Henry suffered a season-ending fracture and will be out for 8-10 weeks, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. Depending on the MRI results, Henry could return in January for the playoffs if the Titans qualify for them, which will be that much harder without their most valuable player.
Titans’ RB Derrick Henry suffered a potentially season-ending foot injury during Sunday’s 34-31 win over Indianapolis, sources reported ESPN. Henry is undergoing an MRI today to determine the full extent of the damage.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2021
The Titans identity is Henry, the two-time reigning NFL rushing champion, and was on his way to a third straight rushing title. Henry leads the NFL in carries with 219, in yards with 937 and in touchdowns with 10.
With Henry potentially sidelined for the remainder of the year, the Titans playoff hopes take a sizable hit.
Who is Derrick Henry’s backup?
Jeremy McNichols is the No. 2 back on the Titans depth chart. He has seven carries for 38 yards this season. The former fifth round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of Boise State in the 2017 draft has career totals of 246 yards on 56 carries. He has never started a game.
Tennessee Titans depth chart after Derrick Henry injury
Mekhi Sargent and Khari Blasingame share the No. 2 spot on the depth chart with McNichols moving into the starting role in the wake of Henry’s injury.
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, so there’s a chance the team may have a renewed interest in trading for a back to take some carries with Henry’s extended absence looming.
Running backs the Titans can add via trade or sign
Schefter tweets the Titans could explore for Tevin Coleman, Melvin Gordon and Ronald Jones, among others.
https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1455166382325313537
Meanwhile, some notable free agents that could be acquired without draft pick compensation include Todd Gurley and Adrian Peterson.
Among the RBs available on the free agent market: Todd Gurley, Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore, D’onta Foreman, Jordan Wilkins (waivers), Kerryon Johnson, Derrius Guice, Bo Scarbrough, Alfred Morris, TJ Yeldon, Ito Smith
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 1, 2021
Whoever the Titans add to the depth chart in the wake of Henry’s injury, no one will come close to replicating the impact he has. He’s arguably more important to the Titans than any other player in the NFL. Certainly, among non-quarterbacks at least.