Titans running back Derrick Henry returned to practice this week just two months after suffering a Jones fracture in his foot, but he won’t suit up for Tennessee’s Week 18 season finale against the Texans. While Tennessee recently designated Henry for return from injured reserve, opening a 21-day window for the star runner to practice with the team, the club did not activate Henry to the active roster Saturday, meaning he’ll remain on IR until the playoffs.
Henry must be activated within three weeks, or he will be ineligible to return at all. The Pro Bowler is still expected back for the Titans’ playoff run, however, per the team’s official website, especially if Tennessee secures the AFC’s No. 1 seed and receives a first-round bye. The Titans will earn that top seed if they beat the rival Texans in Week 18.
With Henry sidelined, former Texans reserve D’Onta Foreman will remain Tennessee’s fill-in starter at running back. Foreman is fresh off a career-high 132-yard rushing performance in Week 17. The Titans will also have former Colts backup Jordan Wilkins as emergency running back depth, promoting Wilkins from the practice squad Saturday.
Henry, who won Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2020 while eclipsing 2,000 yards on the ground, was initially expected to miss between six and 12 weeks due to his foot injury, suffered in the club’s Week 8 win over the Colts.
