Ravens OC hopes to give RB Derrick Henry a heavy workload

The Ravens didn't make many splash moves this offseason, but none may be bigger than the free-agent addition of running back Derrick Henry.

The two-time NFL rushing yards and touchdowns leader (2019, 2020) is joining the best rush offense in the league from last year and offensive coordinator Todd Monken sees a heavy workload in his future.

"I know this: If [Henry] carries it 300 times, we're having a helluva year," Monken said via the team's 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."

Asking the 30-year-old to carry the football 300 times could be a risk, but he's already done just that three times in his eight-year NFL career, most recently in 2022.

Still, Monken knows the most important thing is keeping Henry healthy throughout the long season.

"First and foremost, like every player, we want him to make it through the season. It's a long season — 17 games," Monken added. "So, we'll see how that goes. I mean, he's been so durable."

Henry has been the definition of durable. He had played at least 15 games every year except in 2021 when he suffered a Jones fracture in Week 8 that sidelined him for the rest of the regular season.

However, that injury seems to be a non-factor, as he rushed for 1,538 yards and 13 touchdowns on 349 carries the next season.

The only thing that seems likely to limit Henry's production this year is quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has led Baltimore in rushing the past five seasons.

Henry will help keep Jackson healthy, and the two-time MVP is looking forward to watching him do his thing early and often.

"I just get the ball and [say], 'Go, big guy, go,'" Jackson told reporters. "I'm cheering like the fans."

The Ravens were one of the best teams in the league last year, boasting the best record (13-4) at the end of the regular season. If they pick up right where they left off, Henry will serve as Baltimore's late-game closer several times.