Derrick Henry’s latest performance gave the Baltimore Ravens another uncomfortable question to answer. The veteran running back managed just 45 yards on 17 carries in Sunday’s 35-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, averaging 2.6 yards per attempt. It marked his second consecutive game below 3.5 yards per carry, pushing his season average down to 3.9. Those numbers warrant scrutiny, but identifying Henry as the problem would overlook the blocking instability and quarterback uncertainty surrounding him.
The Numbers Raise Legitimate Concerns
Through seven games, Henry has accumulated 579 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 147 carries. His touchdown production remains valuable, but he has gone three consecutive games without reaching the end zone on the ground. Against Cincinnati, his longest run covered only nine yards, leaving Baltimore without the explosive rushing plays that can change a game’s direction. The issue is not that Henry has stopped contributing altogether; it is that his workload is producing too few consistently productive opportunities.
The Cincinnati game also challenges the idea that Baltimore’s rushing struggles were simply a consequence of falling behind. Henry had 13 carries for 32 yards in the first half, when the Ravens built a 13-0 lead. Baltimore was still in position to maintain offensive balance, yet its featured runner averaged less than 2.5 yards per attempt before halftime. The run game was already struggling before the Bengals’ comeback forced the offense into a different situation.
The Problems Start Up Front
Henry’s performance cannot be separated from an offensive line that is still searching for continuity. Newly acquired center Cam Jurgens made his Baltimore debut against Cincinnati, allowing rookie Vega Ioane to return to right guard. That arrangement did not last, as Ioane exited with a knee injury and Emery Jones replaced him. What was supposed to be an opportunity to establish stability instead became another afternoon of adjustments.
The concern extends beyond which five players are on the field. An October 27th analysis reported that Baltimore averaged a season-low 0.30 yards before contact against Cincinnati, illustrating how little space the rushing attack had before defenders arrived. That same analysis placed the Ravens’ season average at 1.33 yards before contact, their lowest since 2010. Those figures do not absolve Henry of responsibility, but they make it difficult to judge his performance as though he is consistently receiving clean running lanes.
Jackson’s Absence Complicates the Evaluation
Lamar Jackson’s ankle injury adds another important variable to the discussion. Tyler Huntley started against Cincinnati, while Baltimore continued trying to operate without its franchise quarterback. Jackson’s potential return offers reason for optimism, but it would be premature to assume that his presence alone will restore the rushing attack. The more useful question is whether Baltimore can create dependable opportunities for Henry without requiring Jackson to compensate for everything around him.
That distinction matters when evaluating what comes next. If Henry’s efficiency improves when Jackson returns, Baltimore will still need to determine how much of that improvement comes from better blocking and how much comes from defenses responding to the quarterback. If the same breakdowns continue, the Ravens will have less reason to view the injury situation as the primary explanation. Either way, Jackson’s availability should provide context for evaluating Henry, not an automatic excuse or a guaranteed solution.
Henry Still Has Something to Prove
Henry cannot be exempt from criticism simply because the circumstances are difficult. At 32, he leads the league with 147 carries, making both his efficiency and workload legitimate subjects for examination. His 3.9 yards per carry represents his lowest average through seven games since 2019, according to Tuesday’s analysis. Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle therefore has reason to consider whether different personnel combinations or a more varied workload could help the rushing attack.
The fairest conclusion is that Baltimore has a shared problem, not a single culprit. Henry needs to maximize the opportunities available, while the offensive line must provide more chances that do not require him to overcome immediate penetration. Doyle must also evaluate whether the offense is using its personnel effectively rather than expecting more carries to solve the same issues. Before the Ravens decide their star running back is running out of answers, they need to establish whether their rushing attack is giving him enough room to find them.
