Titans’ Derrick Henry could return in Week 18 ‘to knock off some of the rust’

Titans RB Derrick Henry will be at the eight-week mark in his recovery on Tuesday.

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry is inching closer to his much-anticipated return from a foot injury he suffered in Week 8, but when exactly that will be remains to be seen.

On “Good Morning Football” on Monday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said that Henry could possibly return in Week 18 to “knock off some of the rust” after his long absence.

“Derrick Henry, it sounds like, maybe even gets back for Week 18, a chance to knock off some of the rust before they get into the playoffs after his significant foot injury that he had earlier on this season,” Pelissero said.

When asked about Henry on Friday, the day after his team’s Week 16 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t provide much of an update.

“He’s still rehabbing,” Vrabel said, according to Jim Wyatt of Titans Online.

When Tuesday, Dec. 28 hits, Henry will be at the eight-week mark since his surgery, which took place on Tuesday, Nov. 2. It was originally reported that he could return in six to 10 weeks, and a Week 18 return was also possible if the Titans were in a “win-and-in” situation.

If he returns after the full 10 weeks, Henry would be making his comeback for the first round of the playoffs, which begins on Saturday, Jan. 15.

The ideal scenario would be for Henry to get a game in before the start of the playoffs in order to get his feet under him, but the Titans would just be happy to have him healthy in time for a postseason run.

Of course, the Titans still have to clinch their spot in the playoffs first, but have a great chance to do so.

According to the New York Times, Tennessee has a 99-percent chance to make the postseason, a 93-percent chance to clinch the division, and a 24-percent chance at the No. 1 seed.

Entering Week 17, the Titans’ magic number to clinch the AFC South is one, which means a Tennessee win or Indianapolis loss in either of the final two games would get it done.

Tennessee is also in striking distance for the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye, which would give Henry even more time to recover if he ends up needing it. The Titans can get back in the top spot in Week 17 with a win and a Kansas City Chiefs loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

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