He isn't supposed to be doing this. Honestly, by all the laws of modern football physics, a 250-pound back entering his 30s should be slowing down, maybe even looking at a TV gig. Instead, the man they call King Henry just keeps punishing defensive backs who made the mistake of trying to tackle him high. People look at derrick henry stats and see a big number, but they don't always see the context of how weirdly durable this guy actually is.
He just finished another monster stretch.
Think about it. Most running backs hit a "wall" around age 28. Henry? He signed with the Baltimore Ravens back in 2024 and basically treated the AFC North like his personal highlight reel. As of early 2026, he’s sitting in the NFL's top 10 for all-time rushing yards. That’s not just a "good career." That is rarified air, the kind of territory occupied by guys whose names are on bronze busts in Canton.
The Record That Finally Fell: 200-Yard Dominance
For years, Henry was tied with the greats. Six games of 200+ yards. He was neck-and-neck with legends like O.J. Simpson and Adrian Peterson. Then came late December 2025.
The scene was Lambeau Field. A cold, late-season matchup against the Packers. Most backs are looking for a heating pad on the sidelines in that kind of weather. Henry? He took 36 carries—a career high, by the way—and turned them into 216 rushing yards and four touchdowns. That single performance did two things: it broke the NFL record for most 200-yard games (he now has seven) and moved him past Tony Dorsett into the top 10 on the all-time yardage list.
It was vintage Henry. Stiff arms. Long strides. A 25-yard touchdown run at the end of the game just to put a bow on it.
People often argue about the "value" of a running back. But when you look at derrick henry stats from that night, the value is obvious. He wore down a top-tier defense until they simply didn't want to hit him anymore. It’s a psychological game as much as a physical one.
Why the Ravens Move Changed Everything
When Henry left Tennessee, some folks thought he was "washed." Wrong. Pairing him with Lamar Jackson was basically a cheat code for the Baltimore offense.
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In his first season with the Ravens (2024), he exploded for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns. He averaged nearly 6 yards a carry. That’s insane for a guy his size. By the time the 2025 season wrapped up, his two-year total in Baltimore sat at 3,516 rushing yards.
Why did it work so well?
Gravity.
Lamar Jackson has "gravity"—he pulls defenders toward the edges because they’re terrified of his speed. That leaves the middle of the field open. For a guy like Henry, an open middle is a runway. If he gets five yards past the line of scrimmage without being touched, a safety is about to have a very bad afternoon.
Examining the Career Totals: Where He Stands Now
If you want to understand the scale of what we’re watching, you have to look at the historical ladder. As of the end of the 2025 regular season, Henry has reached approximately 13,018 career rushing yards.
He’s currently sitting at #10 all-time.
Next up on the list? Eric Dickerson at 13,259. If Henry stays healthy through the first month of the 2026 season, he’s going to pass Dickerson. Then it’s Jerome Bettis. Then LaDainian Tomlinson. He’s essentially climbing the Mount Everest of football stats in real-time.
| Milestone | Total Count | All-Time Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Career Rushing Yards | 13,018 | 10th |
| Career Rushing TDs | 122 | 4th |
| 200-Yard Games | 7 | 1st |
| 1,500+ Yard Seasons | 5 | Tied for Most |
The touchdown numbers are even more ridiculous. With 122 rushing scores, he’s already passed Adrian Peterson and Jim Brown. Only three men in the history of the sport—Emmitt Smith, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Marcus Allen—have more rushing touchdowns than Derrick Henry.
He’s not just a volume guy. He’s a finisher.
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The "Over 30" Myth
We’ve been told for decades that 30 is the death knell for running backs. Henry turned 32 in January 2026. Looking at his derrick henry stats from the past two years, you wouldn't know it.
In 2024 (at age 30): 1,921 yards.
In 2025 (at age 31): 1,595 yards.
His efficiency dipped slightly in 2025—down to about 5.2 yards per carry from 5.9—but a lot of that was due to offensive line injuries in Baltimore. He still managed to lead the league in several "power" metrics. He’s still hitting speeds of over 21 mph on his breakaway runs. He’s the ultimate outlier.
Maybe it’s the body maintenance. Maybe it’s the fact that he didn't have a massive workload his first two years in the league behind DeMarco Murray. Whatever the reason, the "wall" hasn't hit him yet.
Beyond the Yardage: The Stiff Arm and the Speed
Stats don't tell the whole story, but they hint at the violence of his playstyle. According to Next Gen Stats, Henry consistently ranks near the top of the league in "Yards After Contact."
He doesn't just take what the block gives him.
He takes what he wants.
His 99-yard touchdown run against the Jaguars years ago remains the gold standard, but he’s still doing similar things today. In late 2025, he had a 59-yard scamper against the Browns where he actually outran cornerback Denzel Ward. Ward runs a 4.32 forty-yard dash. Henry is 250 pounds. It shouldn't be possible, but the GPS tracking doesn't lie.
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Playoff Impact
A player’s legacy is often cemented in January. Henry’s playoff derrick henry stats are equally impressive. In the 2024 postseason with Baltimore, he put up 270 yards and 3 touchdowns in two games, averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
He’s a "closer." When the weather gets cold and the defenses get tired, he gets stronger. That’s been the blueprint for every team he’s played on.
What’s Left for the King?
So, what should you keep an eye on moving forward?
First, the 14,000-yard mark. Only six players have ever reached it. If Henry repeats his 2025 production, he’ll hit that milestone by the end of 2026. That would put him past Jerome Bettis, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Curtis Martin.
Second, the touchdown record. He needs 24 more to catch LaDainian Tomlinson for #2 all-time. That’s a tall order, but he’s had 16 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. It’s within the realm of possibility.
Finally, the Hall of Fame. There is no longer a debate. Whether he retired today or plays three more years, the derrick henry stats have reached a level where Canton is a certainty. He’s the only player to ever rush for 2,000 yards in high school, college, and the NFL.
If you're tracking his progress this season, keep a close eye on his carries per game. The Ravens have started to manage his "pitch count" a bit more, trying to save his legs for the postseason. But even with fewer touches, his ability to break a 50-yarder at any moment makes him the most dangerous weapon on the field.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Monitor the 13,259 mark: This is Eric Dickerson's career total. Henry is roughly 241 yards away.
- Watch the TD count: He is currently 1 TD away from tying Marcus Allen (123) for 3rd all-time.
- Check the speed metrics: See if he’s still hitting 21+ mph in 2026; this is the best indicator of whether his age is finally catching up to him.
He's a living legend. Don't take the greatness for granted while he's still active.