Ravens OC has 1 lofty goal in mind for Derrick Henry

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) listens to the National Anthem before facing the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on Dec. 11, 2022, in Nashville. Photo: George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Baltimore Ravens made a huge addition to their backfield this offseason when they signed Derrick Henry, and offensive coordinator Todd Monken has a big goal in mind for the star running back.

Though they have utilized a running-back-by-committee approach for the past several seasons, there have been indications that the Ravens want Henry to be a workhorse for them. While speaking with reporters at OTAs on Thursday, Monken did not rule out Henry getting 300 carries.

“I know this: If (Henry) carries it 300 times, we’re having a helluva year,” Monken said, via Ryan Mink of the Ravens’ official website. “It means we’re running it a lot. It means we’re up in games. We want him to finish, (and) we want him to be the closer.”

Monken was obviously referring to an ideal scenario. Henry is the type of back that can ice a game when his team has the lead, so more carries for him would mean the Ravens are in control.

Henry is on the wrong side of 30, which has historically been problematic for running backs. He had 280 carries with the Tennessee Titans last year and turned them into 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns. It would be a surprise if he eclipses the 300-carry mark in Baltimore, as Monken said the priority is having Henry “make it through the season.”

The Ravens have dealt with a rash of running back injuries in recent years, including when they lost JK Dobbins to a torn Achilles in Week 1 last season. They are hoping Henry can reverse that trend.