December 26, 2024

Derrick Henry becomes NFL’s eighth 2,000-yard rusher

Derrick Henry #DerrickHenry

Former Alabama All-American Derrick Henry became the eighth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in one season when he passed the milestone on Sunday afternoon.

With the Tennessee Titans playing with a postseason berth on the line, Henry became the first player in NFL history to rush for at least 200 yards in three consecutive games against the same team by eclipsing the mark again against the Houston Texans.

Henry entered the game with 1,777 rushing yards and on his way to his second straight NFL rushing title. He passed 2,000 rushing yards for 2020 on a 6-yard run on a second-and-5 snap from the Tennessee 45-yard line in the fourth quarter, which gave him 227 rushing yards in the game.

The NFL’s other 2,000-yard rushers are:

· Eric Dickerson, who ran for 2,105 yards and 14 touchdowns on 379 carries for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984

· Adrian Peterson, who ran for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns on 348 carries for the Minnesota Vikings in 2012

· Jamal Lewis, who ran for 2,066 yards and 14 touchdowns on 387 carries for the Baltimore Ravens in 2003

· Barry Sanders, who ran for 2,053 yards and 11 touchdowns on 335 carries for the Detroit Lions in 1997

· Terrell Davis, who ran for 2,008 yards and 21 touchdowns on 392 carries for the Denver Broncos in 2008

· Chris Johnson, who ran for 2,006 yards and 14 touchdowns on 358 carries for the Titans in 2009

· O.J. Simpson, who ran for 2,003 yards and 12 touchdowns on 332 carries for the Buffalo Bills in 1973

In the final game of the 2019 regular season, the Titans needed to beat the AFC South champion Texans to reach the postseason. Henry ran for 211 yards and three touchdowns in Tennessee’s 35-14 victory.

In the teams’ first meeting this season, Henry ran for 212 yards and two touchdowns in the Titans’ 42-36 victory over Houston on Oct. 18.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

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