Common logic suggests running backs usually age out of peak effectiveness by their 30th birthday.
Common logic doesn't apply to Derrick Henry. The 32-year-old rushed for 3,516 yards and 32 touchdowns in his age-30 and -31 seasons and racked up 144 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries in Week 1.
He's officially an ageless wonder at running back and has history in his sights. At 13,162 career rushing yards, Henry is 5,193 away from tying the all-time career record of 18,355 yards held by Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith. It's a lofty goal, but one Smith believes Henry can achieve.
"Oh yeah, I think it's possible," Smith said, via ESPN. "Derrick Henry is a bigger back. He takes great care of his body. He's in great shape."
Henry indeed owns a size advantage over Smith, who was listed at 5-foot-9, 221 pounds and reached his rushing record in 226 games. At 6-foot-3 and 252 pounds, Henry currently stands at 154 games. While difficult to project, another three or four seasons doesn't seem outrageous for Henry, who remains an elite back and a frightening force.
Just ask the Colts' defense how Week 1 went for them, when Henry steamrolled through Indianapolis in the same fashion he's displayed since he was a youngster in Tennessee. Better yet, ask his defensive teammate, cornerback Marlon Humphrey.
"As Derrick keeps getting older, you start thinking, 'He can't do this forever,'" Humphrey said, via ESPN. "Then he does that and it's like, 'Maybe he can.'"
Henry has long existed as a unique specimen, an athletic freak of nature whose size, power and speed has propelled him to great feats. If anyone can match or break Smith's record, it's Henry, but it's also not right around the corner.
For now, he has the vote of confidence of the record-holder -- and a dynamic, explosive surrounding cast capable of helping him march closer.
