Emmitt Smith Thinks Derrick Henry Can Break His Record, And Sunday Shows Exactly Why

Ravens running back Derrick Henry, who is turning 33 in early January, is still absolutely getting it done at a high level. This Sunday at Buffalo, he’s got a chance to leapfrog a couple of absolute legends on the all-time rushing list, further cementing his place in NFL history.

King Henry Is Chasing Immortality This Sunday

Henry rolls into the Week 8 game against Buffalo with 13,597 career rushing yards. Think about that for a second. The dude is still trucking. If he rips off just 66 yards on Sunday, he’ll pass Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis for the No. 8 spot on the career rushing list. But the real kicker? If he gets 88 yards, he’s going to leapfrog another absolute legend, LaDainian Tomlinson, to land at No. 7 all-time. That’s two Hall of Famers in one game, maybe! That’s how impactful this guy has been.

And the milestones don’t stop there. If Henry punches in a rushing touchdown this Sunday, he’ll join an incredibly elite club. Only Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Marcus Allen have logged 40 or more rushing touchdowns with multiple teams. Faulk did it with the Colts and Rams, Allen with the Raiders and Chiefs. Henry already hit that mark with the Titans, so if he scores one for the Ravens, he’s right there with those guys. That’s a testament to his consistent, relentless production, even as he’s gotten older.

The All-Time Record Is In Play? Emmitt Smith Says So.

So, how high can Henry really go on this list? The biggest name in the game, the all-time record holder, Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith himself, actually believes Henry has a real shot to catch and even beat his record of 18,355 yards. That’s not a small claim, especially from the guy who owns the record!

To match Smith, Henry needs another 4,758 rushing yards. That’s a mountain to climb, no doubt. To even have a chance, he’s going to need to finish out the 2026 season strong and then keep this crazy pace going for at least four more years. And who knows, he might even be doing all this while playing for yet another team by then. It’s a huge ask, but if anyone can defy Father Time and NFL mileage, it’s Derrick Henry. This Sunday’s climb up the all-time list is just another step on what could be an absolutely legendary journey.

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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.