What Tennessee Titans' Jeffery Simmons said about facing Derrick Henry for first time

Baltimore — Derrick Henry showcased his prowess by driving through Titans safety Kevin Winston Jr. for a 5-yard touchdown run during the Ravens' 24-18 victory over the Titans on October 4 at M&T Bank Stadium. Henry, speaking to reporters, described the moment as "surreal, crazy," expressing his satisfaction with the win and looking ahead to the next week.

In an interview with reporters, Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, who played alongside Henry for five seasons with the Tennessee Titans, shared his perspective on the matchup. Simmons recalled that Henry and his former teammates engaged in friendly trash talk throughout the game, but ultimately, they respected each other's abilities. "There was a lot of respect and 'keep going,' and that's what I expect him to do," Simmons said, acknowledging the impact Henry had on the Tennessee franchise.

One notable aspect of Henry's performance was the difficulty Titans players had in tackling him. Safety Amani Hooker, who faced Henry during the game, recounted taking a direct hit from the running back and being evaluated for a concussion before returning to the game. Simmons emphasized the challenge Henry posed, stating that Henry was tackled hard, but he believed his second-year defender, Winston, could have been better prepared.

Simmons added that Henry's ability to bypass tackles and maintain his momentum made him a formidable opponent.

Henry, known for his impressive statistics, rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries during the Titans' matchup, averaging 3.2 yards per carry. He also contributed with two catches for six yards. The Titans managed to keep Henry in check, holding him to just over 100 yards in their first three games against the Ravens. Simmons highlighted Henry's all-time greatness, noting his impressive career rushing touchdowns (129) and 100-yard rushing games (56), which significantly outpace other running backs. Henry currently ranks 9th all-time in NFL career rushing yards with 13,392.