John Harbaugh Denies Derrick Henry’s Impact on Lamar Jackson’s Touches in Running Game

Derrick Henry, in his last four games against the Ravens, recorded 277 yards with 55 carries! He even crossed into the end zone three times. His most notable performance came during the 2019 season’s divisional round when he bulldozed through the field, amassing 195 yards and propelling the Tennessee Titans to a 28-12 triumph over the Ravens.

Now, the tides have turned, and head coach John Harbaugh finds himself strategizing with the formidable Henry on his side. The 30-year-old had signed a two-year contract with Baltimore. Harbaugh anticipates a revitalized backfield. Yet, when it comes to shaping Lamar’s ground game, Henry’s influence might not drastically alter the QB’s rushing prowess.

John Harbaugh doesn’t think Henry will be a game changer

A reporter asked Harbaugh if the new addition “will impact Lamar’s designed runs and even his scrambles.” Harbaugh doesn’t seem to think he will change the way Lamar plays. “Lamar is going to play the way Lamar plays, and that’s what I’m for. You know, I love the way he plays the game.”

According to him, Derrick will just be a bonus, not a game-changer. He will work in tandem with the other offensive weapons to win games. “And I think that Derrick Henry being there, plus Lamar, plus the other guys, it’s a good formula.”

But it’s not like Henry will not have any effect on the Ravens’ offensive scheme. In fact, Harbaugh had started his career as a running backs coach in Michigan, and he had plans for Henry.

Where Harbaugh could fit in Henry

At the 2024 NFL Annual Meeting, John Harbaugh delved into the pivotal decision to sign Derrick Henry. “Well, it’s a big buzz, big guy and a big player,” Harbaugh articulated. “We played against him all those years. When you play against a guy, you earn respect for a guy, and we’ve had our hands full trying to stop him. So, it kind of speaks to us.” 

As to how he plans to use Henry, Harbaugh said, “We’ve got a lot of different things that we like to do. So, A gap, B gap, C gap, D gap, alley, or all the way to the sideline, you want to attack a defense like that, right? That’s important in the run game, and Derrick Henry can attack every single one of those areas just as well.”

Reminiscing about the Ravens-Titans game in London last season, Harbaugh recounted the challenge of containing Henry, who tore through the defense, averaging 8.1 yards per carry. He also netted 97 yards on 12 carries with a score, including a 63-yarder.

Last season, the Ravens running back cadre was plagued by injuries. That includes RB JK Dobbins who lost most of the 2023 season due to an Achilles tear in Week 1. But with Henry’s addition, they’re hoping to bring a more relentless and multifaceted rushing attack to their game in 2024.

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