NASHVILLE – Titans running back Derrick Henry was back on the practice field on Thursday and he's gearing himself up for Sunday's critical game against the Houston Texans.
Did the week off help Henry's hamstring issue?
"That's what it was supposed to do, right?," Henry said on Thursday. "Any time you get the rest it always helps, so it helped a lot."
In reality, we'll find out on Sunday.
"I think that you try and evaluate players through practice," Titans coach Mike Vrabel said. "But I think you understand, and I think we all understand, is that the real test is at the game, when the speeds certainly go up for every player. I think we try and monitor what they do during practice, but you also see the speed of every player, at every position, increase for the game."
Vrabel made his comments before Henry hit the practice field on Thursday. When asked how Henry looked on Tuesday at the start of the practice field, Vrabel replied "great." The Titans didn't practice on Christmas Day.
Henry, who has 1,329 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns on the season, didn't play in this past Sunday's game against the Saints. He was among the team's inactives as running backs Dion Lewis and Dalyn Dawkins got the carries instead.
Henry ran for 86 yards in the Week 14 meeting with the Texans. In his past seven games against AFC South opponents, Henry has nine rushing touchdowns.
With a playoff spot on the line – win and the Titans are in – Henry said he's ready.
"We're locked in, in all phases, and ready for Sunday," Henry said. "We're putting the focus on us. We know what is at stake and we're locked in and ready to go.
"I love playing football and love playing the game, so I am definitely ready."
The Tennessee Titans practice on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019 at Saint Thomas Sports Park. (Photos: Donald Page)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans and Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Wide receiver Tajaé Sharpe #19 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Wide receiver A.J. Brown #11 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans and Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Wide receiver Corey Davis #84 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Equipment Assistant Matt Thompson of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Wide receiver Trevion Thompson #15 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Wide receiver Trevion Thompson #15 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Wide receiver Trevion Thompson #15 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Shaun Wilson #39 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Dalyn Dawkins #28 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Dion Lewis #33 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Dion Lewis #33 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Dion Lewis #33 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Fullback/running back Khari Blasingame #41 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Fullback/running back Khari Blasingame #41 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Dalyn Dawkins #28 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Dalyn Dawkins #28 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Running back Shaun Wilson #39 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Tight end Jonnu Smith #81 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Wide receiver A.J. Brown #11 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 26, 2019 - Wide receiver Corey Davis #84 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
