The Houston Texans won’t have to contend with running back Derrick Henry when they face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday in an important game that means everything in the battle for AFC supremacy.
NFL reporter Adam Schefter stated that the Titans had until Saturday to activate Henry to the team’s 53-man roster from injured reserve in order to have him eligible to play in Week 18. Instead, he remains in the three-week window where he can practice with the team in his hopes to return without officially counting toward the team’s roster limits.
The lack of a move means that Henry is not ready yet, but signs look positive that the Titans will see him at some point in the postseason—assuming they are still alive when that time comes. That said, they must get through the challenge provided by the Texans in the regular-season finale first before looking ahead to which game in which Henry might be able to help.
The Chiefs will be cheering for the Texnas to stop the Derrick Henry-less Titans on Sunday.
The Titans are currently in first place in the AFC, but the Kansas City Chiefs can take over that spot with a win on Saturday over the Denver Broncos (in a game flexed a day ahead by the NFL). From there, the Titans will need a win to reclaim the top seed.
The No. 1 seed means more than ever in recent years given the chance to take away a first-round bye from the No. 2 seed overall. That means only a single team gets another week to rest and recuperate after an arduous regular season. Right now, the Chiefs would be forced to face the. No. 7 seed in a Wild Card round if the Titans win.
The Titans are still favored over the Texans, as they should be, as they’ve continued to win even as Henry has been sidelined for half a season with a fractured foot. That said, Henry’s place as the best running back in football makes the Titans a much better team when he’s on the field and that means Houston’s job is at least a bit easier as they hope to end their season on a positive note.
The Titans visit the Texans at 12:00 p.m. C.T. on Sunday.