Derrick Henry 'Has a Lot of Tread Left on That Tire,' Ravens' Roquan Smith Says

Derrick Henry is heading into his age-30 season, which is usually a death knell for a running back's career.

His new Baltimore Ravens teammates do not appear concerned.

"He doesn't have on his pads, so this isn't his strong suit," linebacker Roquan Smith told reporters of Henry. "It's more so when he puts those pads on that he becomes that demon. He has a lot of tread left on that tire."

Henry signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Ravens this offseason after spending the previous eight years with the Tennessee Titans. He had five 1,000-yard seasons during his career with the Titans, finishing as the franchise's second-leading rusher (9,502 yards) and leader in rushing touchdowns (90).

While it's clear Henry has slowed down from his 2,000-yard peak in 2020, he remains one of the NFL's best goal-line backs and rushed for 1,167 yards last season at age 29.

"I watched the wear and tear that he put on defenses, ours included," Ravens coach John Harbaugh. "He's in great shape, he's a stickler for detail, and he's moving really well."

A move to Baltimore should also provide Henry with the largest holes of his NFL career. The threat of Lamar Jackson running neutralizes opposing defenses, with the Ravens typically ranking among the NFL's leaders in rushing. Baltimore's leading running back has never averaged less than four yards per carry in Jackson's career.