Derrick Henry's Close Call with the Cowboys Revealed
Derrick Henry wearing the star on his helmet and suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys might have been more than a fantasy for many NFL fans. Recent revelations suggest that Henry's move to the Cowboys during the offseason was closer to reality than one might initially think.
Henry, who spends his offseason training in Dallas, eventually signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. His decision came after an eight-year career with the Tennessee Titans, where he established himself as one of the most formidable running backs in the league. His introduction to the Ravens' lineup was nothing short of spectacular, as Henry debuted against the Cowboys with a performance that saw him rushing for 151 yards and two touchdowns, leading Baltimore to a 28-25 victory at AT&T Stadium. This defeat marked the Cowboys' second consecutive home loss.
Henry's potential addition to the Cowboys' roster was hindered by financial constraints. Owner Jerry Jones candidly addressed this during an interview, stating, "We couldn’t afford Derrick Henry." He further elaborated, "I don't know. Why can't you buy a mansion when you live in a different kind of house? We couldn't afford it. We can't make that all fit. That's as simple as that."
Indeed, the Cowboys have been grappling with their salary cap space, influenced by critical decisions to defer extensions for standout players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. This strategic move left the team with limited flexibility to make high-profile acquisitions such as Henry.
On the field, the Cowboys have struggled with their running game. The roster currently includes Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn. Despite their talent, the team ranked 25th in rushing during the first two weeks of the season and managed a dismal 51 yards on the ground in Week 3. These statistics underscore the challenges the Cowboys face in establishing a consistent ground game.
Jones emphasized that the running game's woes were not due to any single player. "I wouldn't direct the running game and lack thereof or where we've been over the last three games to any one running back at all, because it takes some offensive linemen to blow them out of there; it takes a passing game to keep them honest in the running game. It takes a lot of things to make that work. This wouldn't be solved with just jumping over there and getting [Hall of Famer] Jimmy Brown," he explained.
The Cowboys' decision not to pursue Henry more aggressively may come under scrutiny if their running game does not improve. Henry’s presence in Baltimore has already proven valuable, providing the Ravens with a formidable running attack and positioning them as strong contenders in their conference.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the Cowboys' ability to rectify their rushing issues to maintain their competitiveness. The pressure will be on the coaching staff and the current roster of running backs to find solutions that will enable them to complement their potent passing game and turn around their early-season struggles.