NASHVILLE – Derrick Henry is heading into his seventh NFL season, so he knows what some folks are saying, or at least thinking.
On Thursday, before a reporter finished a question related to his age, Henry chimed in.
"I'm getting old," the 28-year-old Henry said with a smile.
Then Henry followed up by saying he hopes to have long-term success of running backs like Adrian Peterson and Frank Gore.
"Those guys played for a long time," Henry said. "They are like the pedestal as far as running backs playing more than they are expected in recent years. If I can make it through just like those guys. But (I am) just focused on the right now. … Those guys set the standard high, and I am just hoping I can live up to it."
The right now for Henry and the Titans is the season opener against the New York Giants.
Henry said he's ready, and he feels good.
"Everybody is excited, Week One," Henry said. "It's back to football, and I'm ready to go."
"I just take it all in and get ready until that ball is snapped. It is all the feels in Week 1, first game. So, there will be a lot of hype going on but just get ready and get settled in and get ready to play."
Henry, after missing the second half of the 2021 regular season with a broken foot before returning for the playoff loss, is especially motivated.
Henry finished the 2021 season with 937 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight regular season games. He ran for 62 yards and a touchdown in the team's 19-16 loss to the Bengals after his return.
In 2020, Henry was named the Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year after rushing 378 times for 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns.
He plans to return to form in 2022.
"I am just hungry," Henry said. "I can't worry about (what people say). I am just focused on what I need to do. I am hungry, and I am ready to go. I want to get better and I want to help my teammates get better. I am focused on Sunday."
