If 2024 was the year NFL running backs ascended, then 2025 is the year NFL running backs came back to earth.
After an incredible run last season, led by a 2,000 yard rusher and NFL Offensive Player of the Year in Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and another 1,900 yard rusher in Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry, the current season has been brutal.
No 2 players have seen reality slap them upside the head more than Henry and Barkley, with Henry being singled out by Bleacher Report as his team’s “Biggest Loser” following a 32-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13 in which he had 11 touches for 110 yards of total offense and 1 touchdown.
Henry’s final line came to 10 carries for 66 yards and 1 rushing touchdown to go with 1 reception for 44 yards. Which makes you might wonder why he didn’t get more touches.
From B/R: “That’s an indictment of the offensive approach, which speaks to the idea that the coaching staff as a whole has become a potential problem in Baltimore. Might it soon be time for wholesale changes and a new philosophy in general for a team that may require a mental reset? Because this just isn’t working.”
Henry is seventh in the NFL in rushing with 931 yards and 10 touchdowns while the Ravens are 6-6 overall.
Henry Overcame Early Season Fumbling Issues
The season started off on a bad note for the Ravens, who started the season with a 1-5 record.
It went in a similarly bad fashion for Henry, who lost fumbles in 3 consecutive games to open the season. The third fumble led to an epic crash out for Henry on Baltimore’s sideline in a 38-30 Monday Night Football loss to the visiting Detroit Lions.
Henry’s fumble came with 8:31 left to play and was followed by an uncharacteristic, emotional outburst from Henry, who slammed his helmet and tumbled into one of the bench areas as he appeared to be near tears.
Henry, who signed a 2-year, $30 million contract extension with the Ravens in May, only had 3 fumbles in the 2023 and 2024 seasons combined.
“The clip of Derrick Henry crashing out on the bench is one of the funniest videos you will see all season,” PFF’s Mike Kennedy wrote on X.
“A Derrick Henry crash out is better than intercourse,” Bengals podcaster Zim wrote on their official X account.
Henry Also Made NFL History Against Bengals
Lost in the loss to the Bengals was Henry making NFL history.
“King Henry just scored his 116th career touchdown,” the NFL wrote on its official X account after Henry’s 28-yard touchdown run. “He joins LaDainian Tomlinson as the only players in NFL history with 10+ rush TDs in 8+ consecutive seasons.”
Henry wasn’t done there. He also passed Cleveland Browns running back and NFL legend Jim Brown to move up to No. 11 on the NFL’s career rushing list with 33 rushing yards in the first half.
There’s a good chance Henry could pass Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett (12,739 yards) and move into the NFL’s Top 10 career rushers by the end of the regular season.
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