NASHVILLE – Titans running back Derrick Henry is fired up about the start of a new season.
Again.
"I love football – I have been playing since I was five years old," Henry said. "Any time you are getting ready for a game, it's always exciting.
"It's game week – football is back. I'm looking forward to it."
Henry, heading into his eighth NFL season, ranked 2nd in NFL with 1,936 scrimmage yards and 1,538 rush yards in 2022. He also ranked tied-2nd with 13 rushing touchdowns, becoming 5th player all-time with 10-plus rushing touchdowns in five straight seasons.
Henry had 125-plus scrimmage yards in each of final four games of season.
On Sunday, he'll be facing the Saints for the first time in his career.
"The big thing is about watching film on (the Saints), seeing the things they like to do," said Henry, who leads active players with 8,335 rush yards and 78 rushing touchdowns. "But it is Week One – they are going to run stuff we haven't seen, and that's how it goes in the league. But they are a great defense – they have great experience over there, they're disruptive, they have guys that fly around and get to the ball."
Henry, who is headed into the final year of his contract, was asked if this could be his "last hurrah" with the Titans.
Henry playfully laughed at the topic, before turning more serious.
"I am just taking it one day at a time, and not getting too caught up in it," Henry said. "I'm thankful that I am able to make it to Year 8, and be playing for this organization as long as I have. I'm just trying to be the best player I can be each and every week, and come out here and be a great leader for this team, and try and help everybody get better in any way possible.
"I am just taking it one game at a time. Fortunately, I am living my dream playing in the NFL. I am not trying to get too caught up in that –I'm just being thankful for what I have right now."
