Derrick Henry ponders future with Titans out of playoff chase

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee running back Derrick Henry said he is considering his future after a frustrating 19-16 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday that officially eliminated the Titans from playoff contention.

“Yeah, definitely today you had that feeling [that it could be the end of my career with the Titans]” said Henry, who is normally one to stay in the moment. “I was hoping to slip into that. [the playoffs], then being eliminated with three games remaining. I've been here my whole career. I absolutely wanted to come out strong, which is not the case.”

The Titans will make a decision on Henry, 29, who is expected to become a free agent after the four-year, $50 million contract he signed in 2020 expires after this season.

Tennessee is projected to have $91.8 million in cap space this offseason, so signing Henry is a possibility. However, rookie Tyjae Spears' 410 snaps are just one fewer than Henry's this season.

Henry's performance Sunday was his worst as a starter – just 9 yards on 16 carries. He entered the game averaging 203.6 rushing yards in his last five games against Houston.

“We weren’t great today as a whole,” Henry said. “They were the better team today. All credit to them. It seemed like they had the answer for everything.”

In 14 games this season, Henry has 214 carries for 875 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 9,210 career rushing yards are second in Oilers/Titans history behind Eddie George, and his 88 career rushing touchdowns are No. 1 in franchise history.

The Titans have a home game against the Seattle Seahawks next week, followed by a trip to Houston before finishing the season at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I’m going to try to give it my all in these last three games and leave it all on the field,” Henry said.