Report: Titans RB Derrick Henry returning in 2021 'would be very surprising'

The Tennessee Titans are hopeful they'll get running back Derrick Henry back in time to help with a postseason run, but it doesn't sound likely. ESPN's Adam Schefter says a source with the Titans told him it "would be very surprising if [Henry] made it back this season."

Henry, 27, may have been on his way to becoming the NFL MVP before he suffered a foot injury that required surgery. In eight games, Henry ran for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns. He led the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns in both the 2019 and 2020 seasons, and he is currently leading both categories in 2021.

With Henry out of action, the Titans signed 36-year-old veteran Adrian Peterson. According to Schefter, the seven-time Pro Bowler turned down an offer to compete on "Dancing with the Stars" in hopes he could continue his NFL career. While Peterson thought that opportunity would come from the Baltimore Ravens, who suffered a series of injuries at running back during preseason, it instead came from a different AFC contender.

Peterson played the first 10 years of his career with the Minnesota Vikings and earned three rushing titles, four First-Team All-Pro nods and NFL MVP honors. In the last four seasons, Peterson has had stints with the New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Football Team and Detroit Lions. 

The Titans sit atop the AFC South with a 6-2 record, the only winning record in the division.