Derrick Henry opens up about role in Ravens offense

This offseason, the Ravens added running back Derrick Henry to the NFL's best rush offense from a year ago in what many believe is a match made in heaven.

Now with the offseason in the rearview mirror and just about two weeks until Baltimore kicks off the regular season against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, Henry is confident he made the right decision.

"I'm comfortable now," Henry said. "I'm right at home. Training camp was good. We got a lot better. Still getting better, but I'm comfortable and right at home."

The Ravens have decided it's best to keep Henry sidelined throughout the preseason given the eight years of tread he's already put on his body in the league, but he's looking forward to finally taking the field with his new team.

"I'm definitely excited to play, and can't wait until that time comes, but it's all about polishing and getting everything down and continuing to get better until that time comes," Henry added. "I'm sure everybody out here is itching to get to Week 1 for sure."

Baltimore hopes that pairing Henry with two-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and four-time Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard will take its run game to a whole other level in 2024. Henry seems confident that can happen.

"That's something I look forward to," Henry stated. "Anytime 'four-two' (Ricard) is in front of me, I'm comfortable, so I'm good. I have to make something happen."

In the meantime, however, Henry is focused on knocking off the rest of his rust in practice so that he's ready to go come Week 1.

"I might be a little rusty," Henry concluded. "But I should be fine."

The two-time NFL rushing yards and touchdowns leader (2019, 2020) has rushed for 9,502 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and 90 touchdowns in his NFL career.