Former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson knows a thing or two about rushing for 2,000 yards in a season after the East Carolina product rushed for 2,006 yards in the 2009 season.
Johnson was recently on “Good Morning Football,” with the panel looking for his thoughts on who the next running back could be to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark. The former Titans back was quick to say that Derrick Henry is capable of doing it again.
“Derrick Henry has done it already. I think he can do it again. I think he can be a two-timer,” Johnson said. “With these offenses these days, it has to be the type of offense that’s old school that runs the ball and plays good defense. With the new offenses throwing it everywhere, it’s hard for these backs to rush for 2,000 yards. That’s why I feel like Derrick Henry can do it again, because that’s the Tennessee offense. They’re going to run the ball, run the ball, run the ball, and play good defense.
Johnson went on to say that running backs like Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffery aren’t getting 30 carries a game as they’re so heavily involved in their respective passing games.
Henry rushed for 2,027 yards during the 2020 season, averaging just under 24 carries per game. He was well on pace to shatter that number through eight games last year before missing the remainder of the regular season with a foot injury.
Johnson touched on it, but Henry has recently been getting more looks in the passing game. He had 18 catches in eight games last year, one shy of his career-high (19) set in 2020.
The King was on pace to finish with approximately 38 catches, which is incredible considering he was also averaging roughly 28 carries per contest.
Needless to say, the Titans’ offense runs through Henry and the 28-year-old figures to be relied upon heavily again this season, especially as quarterback Ryan Tannehill looks to get acclimated early on with his new receivers.
