Derrick Henry Comments on 'Bell Cow' RBs amid Criticism of Ravens After Raiders Loss

As one of the few true workhorse running backs in the current NFL, Derrick Henry doesn't think that style of player will go out of fashion when teams recognize they have someone capable of handling a high volume of carries.

Speaking to ESPN's Jamison Hensley and Todd Archer, Henry explained the value of a "bell cow" running back will continue to last well into the future:

"I feel like if you got a guy, a bell cow that can run the ball, why not let him run it? If he's effective and he's a staple of the offense with the passing game, why not just be effective with both? Even though we know it's the passing league, I feel like the guys that are consistent and play at a high level each and every week, teams will feed them and let them go do their thing."

Henry's comments come as the Ravens are still figuring out the best way to utilize him in their offense after he signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the team as a free agent in March.

The Ravens only gave Henry one carry on their final three drives in Sunday's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Even if you ignore the final possession when they only had 27 seconds to get in range for a potential game-tying field goal, he still got the ball just once when they were in a positive or neutral game script.

Henry put the Ravens up 23-13 with a three-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. He had six carries for 38 yards on that nine-play drive. The four-time Pro Bowler finished the game with 18 carries, 84 yards and one score.

Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters on Sept. 9—four days after the Ravens' Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs—they didn't sign Henry with the intention of making him a guy who "gets the ball 30 times a game."

Henry's 31 carries through two games ranks 14th in the NFL. His 15.5 attempts per game is on pace to be his fewest in a season since 2018 (13.4) when he was splitting carries with Dion Lewis.

Now that Henry is 30 years old, it's probably wise to ease some of the burden on his legs. He led the NFL in rushing attempts in four of the previous five seasons. The one time he didn't was in 2021 when a Jones fracture limited him to eight games in the regular season, but he was averaging a career-high 27.4 carries per game prior to the injury.

Henry's limited usage to start this season can also be explained by protection issues up front. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken told reporters on Thursday they "have to own it" when asked about the criticism that's been directed at the offensive line through two games.

Per FantasyPros.com, Henry ranks 54th among all running backs with 1.4 yards before contact per attempt this season. The three players ahead of him are Chubba Hubbard, D'Onta Foreman and Miles Sanders tied at 1.6.

There is nothing from how Henry is running through two games that suggests he can't still be a bell cow-type of running back. The Ravens just need improved play on the offensive line to take full advantage of his skill set as they look to dig out of an 0-2 hole.