Derrick Henry’s impressive preseason wrapped up with a strong outing in Miami.
The rookie running back carried seven times for 62 yards, including a 1-yard walk into the end zone, to help lead the Tennessee Titans to a 21-10 preseason win over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday. He converted a second-and-19 with a 26-yard run that he made look easy.
The second-round pick out of Alabama finished the preseason with 34 carries for 216 yards, a 6.4-yard average, and three touchdowns.
“That’s something we preach all the time, being physical as a team and setting the tempo,” Henry said, per the team’s website.
Titans starting quarterback Marcus Mariota and lead running back, DeMarco Murray didn’t see the field for the finale. Coach Mike Mularkey chose to be safe with his key guys.
Henry, though, has been a revelation, even as a decent share of his work came against second-team defenders who, on this night, appeared overwhelmed by him.
His size and surprisingly good feet have translated well to preseason games, and they will give the Titans great confidence about the Murray-Henry one-two punch in the regular season, which kicks off Sept. 11 with a home game against the Minnesota Vikings at Nissan Stadium.
Antonio Andrews worked as the second back, carrying nine times for 32 yards and two touchdowns.
Big start: The Titans' first-team defense gave up a first-drive touchdown in their first three preseason games. The problem has been a huge theme, and the unit couldn’t have done better work to end the streak. DaQuan Jones popped the ball free from Jay Ajayi and safety Rashad Johnson recovered at the Dolphins’ 21-yard line. Mularkey had said during the week that either a three-and-out or a 14-play scoring drive would qualify as the one series he wanted the offense to play. The same held true for the defense. The one-play series was it. “We wanted to get over that thing with the opening drive, and we obviously did it on the very first play,” Mularkey told WKRN at halftime. “It was great to see.”
Return woes: Rookie cornerback Kalan Reed got his turn returning punts. And it was a disaster. He lost the first one but saw teammate Kevin Byard jump on the fumble. Reed wisely let Miami's second punt bounce and then made a good play, grabbing it when he had some room after the ball bounced in the air. But he signaled for a fair catch while it was in the air on the hop -- which isn’t allowed. He fumbled his third chance and lost that one. Dexter McCluster, sadly, remains the Titans' best option in the role.
Big plays: Byard has a knack for the ball, but the safety's second-quarter pick of Zac Dysert in the end zone was a real gift from the quarterback, who made a throw he shouldn’t have even considered.
Health check: Receiver Kendall Wright didn’t travel with the team after reinjuring his hamstring when he returned to practice early this week. He will be in question for the opener on Sept. 11 in Nashville. Guard Jeremiah Poutasi had an ankle taped but returned. Beyond that, the Titans didn’t appear to suffer any new injuries.
Cox returns: Starting cornerback Perrish Cox made his preseason debut. He suffered a sprained ankle the day before the Titans opened the preseason. While the rest of the starters were finished in a hurry, Cox played through the first quarter, as was the plan.
A couple ugly throws: Alex Tanney played quarterback for all but the first series, in what was very likely a final audition for the rest of the league. He wasn’t good, throwing two first-half interceptions. Both passes were intended for Justin Hunter, and both were poor passes. But he finished 17-of-20 for 168 yards, with the two picks.
The Blake report: The Titans' fourth cornerback, Antwon Blake, didn’t get lit up for a giant play, as he had in the last two games. He made a solid tackle of Rashawn Scott after an early catch. But once again, Blake was lined up a mile off the receiver at the snap.
