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Derrick Henry Has Targeted NFL Rushing Record

Emmitt Smith claims Derrick Henry can surpass the league's all-time career rushing record.

Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Football

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a running back in purple and black jersey mid-stride, captured with gestural brush strokes.
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry continues his pursuit of the NFL all-time rushing record after a dominant performance against the Indianapolis Colts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Derrick Henry began his 11th NFL season by gaining 144 yards and three touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts. Hall of Fame runner Emmitt Smith stated that Henry has the potential to break the current all-time rushing record.

Why it matters

The veteran running back continues to perform at an elite level, positioning himself to challenge the league's most prestigious career milestone.

Derrick Henry has recorded 13,162 career rushing yards and currently needs 5,194 more to surpass Emmitt Smith's record of 18,355. Henry reached 144 yards on 24 carries during his 2026 season opener.

The players

Derrick Henry

He is a veteran NFL running back currently playing for the Baltimore Ravens.

Emmitt Smith

He is a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee who holds the NFL all-time rushing record.

The details

Henry maintains his physical condition through rigorous training and body care as he pursues the historic milestone. Since joining the Baltimore Ravens in 2024, he has accumulated 3,660 rushing yards.

Timeline

  1. 2012: Derrick Henry set the national high school rushing record.

  2. 2015: Henry ran for 2,219 yards while playing at Alabama.

  3. September 2026: Henry began his 11th NFL season.

  4. January 2027: Derrick Henry will turn 33 years old.

  5. 2029: Henry could potentially break the all-time rushing record.

Season Trajectory

Henry is currently projected to surpass Eric Dickerson for ninth place on the all-time list. If he sustains an average of 1,300 yards annually, he is on track to challenge the league record by 2029.

Henry enters the record books for his 2026 season opener with a 144-yard performance that bolsters his fantasy value and season-long output. His continued high-volume usage as a starter confirms his central role in the Baltimore Ravens offense.

The takeaway

Derrick Henry remains an outlier in modern professional football due to his sustained durability and high-impact performance. His pursuit of the career rushing record provides a rare look at a veteran athlete challenging a historical benchmark.

Further reading

For more on the current landscape of the professional league, visit the Football section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Florida Times-Union.

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Do you believe top-tier running backs can sustain elite performance levels into their mid-thirties?