The Baltimore Ravens' coaching staff nearly needed a defibrillator on Tuesday. During an OTA practice, All-Pro running back Derrick Henry hit the turf and clutched his knee after a collision with a teammate. The entire facility seemed to freeze as trainers rushed over, fearing the worst for the team's offensive centerpiece.
But the scare was short-lived. Henry popped up, shook off the moment, and eventually returned to 11-on-11 drills, much to the relief of everyone watching. The 11-year veteran even had a sense of humor about it afterward.
“I laid on the ground a little bit. The ground felt like a bed for a little while,” Henry said with a grin. “And I saw you all looked hot and bored, so I was like, ‘I’ve got to give them something to tweet and write.’”
Defying Father Time
At 32 years old, Henry continues to defy the typical decline of running backs. He finished the 2025 season with 1,595 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on 307 carries, proving he remains one of the most dominant forces in the NFL. Currently ranked 10th all-time in rushing yards, he's on pace to climb even higher if he stays healthy.
This incident comes amid a wave of knee-related concerns across sports. Just recently, Wings fans panicked over Azzi Fudd's knee injury, and Caitlin Clark's knee scare sparked alarm ahead of the WNBA opener. The Ravens are thankful Henry's scare was nothing more than a theatrical moment.
Ravens' Road Ahead
If Baltimore wants to start the 2026 season with authority, they'll need Henry at full throttle. The Ravens open their campaign on Sept. 13 against the Indianapolis Colts, and Henry's presence in the backfield is a critical piece of their offensive identity. With eight teams with new coaches kicking off OTAs, the Ravens are glad their coaching staff isn't dealing with a major injury crisis.
Henry's durability has been a hallmark of his career, and Tuesday's incident only reinforced his reputation as a tough, resilient player. The Ravens will take a deep breath and hope that the only drama surrounding their star runner remains the kind that makes for good social media fodder.
