Derrick Henry Fires Back at Browns safety Grant Delpit‘s Tackle Claim
NASHVILLE, TN – Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry vehemently disagreed with Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit’s assertion that he is “not hard” to tackle, responding to the comment during a press conference Thursday. The exchange has quickly become a focal point leading into Sunday’s matchup between the Titans adn the Browns.
Delpit made the initial claim during an appearance on the “All Things Covered” podcast, stating Henry’s running style doesn’t present a critically important tackling challenge. Henry, known for his powerful and punishing running, took exception to the remark, calling it “disrespectful” and a “motivation tactic.”
“Everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” Henry said. “But I’ve been doing this a long time.I’ve been running through people a long time. For a safety to say that, it’s disrespectful. It’s a motivation tactic, I guess.We’ll see on Sunday.”
The comments arrive as Henry is looking to re-establish himself as one of the league’s premier running backs after battling injuries in recent seasons. A strong performance against the Browns, and specifically against Delpit, would serve as a powerful statement.
The back-and-forth adds another layer of intrigue to a Week 2 contest already featuring two teams eager to secure a crucial early-season victory.The Titans, coming off a narrow loss to the Saints, will rely heavily on Henry to control the clock and wear down the Browns’ defense.
Henry’s career statistics back up his claim of being a challenging runner to bring down. He has rushed for over 8,300 yards and 78 touchdowns in his NFL career, consistently ranking among the league leaders in yards after contact.He also leads the league in rushing attempts of 10+ yards since entering the league in 2016.
“I’m always going to run hard,” Henry stated. “That’s just who I am. I’m going to continue to do that, and I’m going to make him eat those words.”