Derrick Henry gives his new Baltimore Ravens coach a scare at practice

New Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter experienced a brief moment of panic during Tuesday's OTA session when star running back Derrick Henry hit the turf after colliding with a teammate. While the sight of the former Alabama All-American down on the grass caused immediate concern, Henry quickly put his coach's mind at ease.

A Moment of Levity

“I laid on the ground a little bit,” Henry told reporters post-practice. “The ground felt like a bed for a little while. And I saw you all looking hot and bored, so I was like, ‘I need to give them something to tweet and write about.’”

Henry clarified that the collision was nothing more than a minor knee-to-knee bump. Minter, relieved to see his star back moving well, emphasized the importance of maintaining a smart, teammate-first mentality during the non-contact Phase 3 offseason drills. “I am super happy and thankful that he was able to keep rolling,” Minter said.

A Fresh Era in Baltimore

Minter, who rejoined the Ravens after serving as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, steps into the head coaching role following the conclusion of John Harbaugh’s 18-season tenure. Transitioning from an opponent to an ally, Minter has been impressed by the standard Henry brings to the building.

“To see a guy like that with the experience and success that he’s had sort of go about his process of getting better, he’s an unbelievable example for everybody else on the team,” Minter noted. “Thankful that he’s on our side, and we’re handing the ball to him.”

Leading by Example

As Henry enters his 11th NFL campaign as a five-time Pro Bowler and the league’s 10th all-time leading rusher, he remains hyper-focused on his own progression. He plans to let his work ethic speak louder than his words, utilizing practice footage to refine his craft.

“I can be a vocal leader, but I like my work to show, and when I need to speak, I will,” Henry said. “I’m just trying to be a great example for myself, but also the younger guys.”

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Staying the Course

While the coaching staff has changed, Henry’s commitment to his legendary offseason regimen remains unshaken. Having carried the ball 2,539 times over the past eight seasons—the highest workload in the NFL—Henry says he feels as ready as ever.

“It’s the same approach. I love putting the work in, conditioning, being in the weight room, being around the guys,” Henry added. “Around this time, this is where you get to tune up everything, make mistakes, learn from those mistakes. And then when training camp comes around, you’re rolling.”