Derrick Henry sends warning to Chiefs ahead of Ravens debut

One way the Baltimore Ravens responded to their disappointing 17-10 AFC Championship Game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs was to sign former Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry in free agency.

While speaking with reporters on Sunday, Henry delivered somewhat of a message to the reigning Super Bowl champions when he was asked if he thinks he would've made a difference in the January clash between Baltimore and Kansas City.

"Hell yeah," Henry responded, as shared by Bobby Kownack of the NFL's website. "I wish I could suit up that day watching the game. But now it's my turn, so got to take advantage of it."

The Ravens will look to avenge their loss to the Chiefs when the two sides meet in the regular-season opener at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night.

"It's going to be a hell of a game," Henry continued. "The Chiefs are always tough, they're solid on all three teams. Got to be locked in this week to be able to execute on Thursday."

The Ravens believe Henry averaged only 4.2 yards per carry during the 2023 season because of the Titans' "below-average offensive line" more so than because he showed signs of slowing down before he turned 30 years old this past January. Baltimore may not need Henry to be what he was in his prime considering it has two-time MVP winner Lamar Jackson at quarterback, it's clear Baltimore wants the bruising running back to absorb some of the hits Jackson has taken throughout his career.

Much has been made throughout 2024 about Jackson's career playoff record of 2-4 and about the fact that he hasn't yet guided the Ravens to a Super Bowl appearance. Henry indicated on Sunday that Jackson and others inside the Baltimore locker room have had Thursday's game circled on calendars for months considering what happened at M&T Bank Stadium on Jan. 28 of this year.

"It's who they lost to to get to the big one, so I'm sure that's in the back of their minds," Henry added. "We're going to come out and play Ravens style of football, execute so we can get a W, but yeah, I'm sure that's in the back of their minds. I'm sure everybody's locked in and going to be ready to go."

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Ravens second behind only the Chiefs (+300) among the betting favorites at +550 odds to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LIX. Henry and Co. can't accomplish such a massive goal on Thursday but could offer a preview of what's to come by downing Kansas City in prime time.