Derrick Henry is back, officially active and ready to launch for the Titans. Encircle one of the best NFL players to make a dramatic return to the playoffs, and Reigns will inevitably be back to normal.
With one minor exception: "I have a big steel plate on my foot," Henry said this week.
That's right. The player who was an MVP candidate prior to rupturing the fifth metatarsal in his foot and having surgery, had a steel plate inserted into his foot. He is not everything.
Henry is also expected to play in Saturday's divisional round against the Bengals with a metal plate in his shoe, similar to those of players who wear turf toes. Added protection.
Why? Sources told.
The metal plate is a modified orthotic to protect the foot from stress and prevent it from flexing. There is pressure on the repaired area to keep it safe when it is running and biting. He can run without any reservation.
As for the plate, it is considered safer and more stable than simply inserting a screw into the repaired metatarsal. Henry's leg actually has a plate and five screws.
Eleven weeks after surgery, Henry is close to being completely gone. The bone has almost completely healed, and it is thought to be strong enough to sustain constant pressure on it today.
Henry has not played since October 31, when he inadvertently broke his leg against the Colts and still had 28 carries. Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center, Dr. Norman Waldrop and Dr. Lyle Cain soon underwent surgery and was eyeing a return this season.
"It's never happened in my entire career," Henry said this week. "I was like, 'Okay, can't do anything about it now.' Try to have surgery and start the recovery process and try to come back as soon as possible."
Henry is listed at 6-foot-3, 247 pounds, and he's basically over his weight right now. After extensive rehab that included lots of training and cardio work, he is in top physical form. One person who saw him at practice this week simply said, "He looked great; you know he's a freak."
The hope is that withdrawal eliminates any nervousness or nervousness with the adrenaline coming back. Henry won't be on a snap count, but they'll keep an eye on him. Given the flow of the game, Titans may have D'Onta Foreman playing a slightly bigger role than usual or at least enchanting Henry, so it's not too much of a snap in a row.
But basically, Henry is back.
"You definitely appreciate the game a lot more when you're away from it," Henry told reporters. "Being away from your teammates and having that camaraderie, going to work every day and going out and playing on Sundays every week, you definitely miss it. Just happy to be back."
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