Ravens' Henry: 'Always love' for Titans, but not much this Sunday - ESPN

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry has been getting nonstop texts this week heading into Sunday's reunion with the Tennessee Titans.

«It's still like family there,» Henry said Wednesday. «So it's always love, but it ain't going to be much love on Sunday, though.»

Henry has tried to downplay his first game against his former team even though he is still regarded as one of the most dominant players in Titans history. During his eight seasons in Tennessee, he won two rushing titles (2019 and 2020) and was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2020, leaving the Titans as the franchise's second all-time leading rusher behind Eddie George.

On Sunday, Henry becomes the fourth player to face a team that he produced at least 9,000 yards rushing and 90 rushing touchdowns for in his career. The others were: Emmitt Smith, who played the Dallas Cowboys in 2003; LaDainian Tomlinson, who played the Chargers in 2011 and Adrian Peterson, who played the Minnesota Vikings four times after leaving there.

«It's going to be a crazy moment to be playing against the team that I came in the league playing for,» Henry said. «But I ain't trying to make too much of it, though.»

Henry joined the Ravens in March 2024, signing a two-year, $16 million contract. Before Henry reached an agreement with Baltimore, the Titans had signed running back Tony Pollard to a three-year, $21.75 million deal.

On Wednesday, Henry said Tennessee made no attempt to keep him in free agency.

«They shipped me out,» Henry initially said, before adding, «I don't want to say it like that. It's always love.»

How did it make Henry feel to not receive an offer from the Titans?

«It was bittersweet,» Henry said. «I think I knew the writing was on