Titans’ Henry will play with playoff spot on the line

NASHVILLE, TENN. » Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry makes it very clear he will play Sunday against the Houston Texans with a playoff berth on the line for the Tennessee Titans.

“I love football,” Henry said Thursday. “I love playing the game, so I’m definitely ready.”

The Titans (8-7) downgraded Henry to questionable just before Houston clinched the AFC South with a win last weekend in Tampa Bay, then deactivated Henry in a 38-28 loss to New Orleans a day later.

The Titans still ran for 149 yards with a group effort.

But Henry just earned his first Pro Bowl berth by running for 1,329 yards this season.

Even with being given a game off to rest a sore left hamstring, Henry still ranks third in the NFL in rushing and is tied for third in the league with 13 rushing touchdowns. The Titans are hoping he can secure the franchise’s second playoff berth in three seasons and second since the 2008 season.

Henry practiced fully Thursday, and coach Mike Vrabel said the running back looked great in Tuesday’s

session before taking Wednesday off for Christmas.

“Anytime you got time to rest, it always helps a lot,” Henry said of getting a day off.

The 2015 Heisman Trophy winner had said he would play even if his leg was hanging off. Asked about sitting out against the Saints, Henry inquired what Vrabel said about it. The coach said after the loss to New Orleans that it was an organizational decision to keep Henry out of the lineup.

After hearing the coach’s response, Henry said Thursday, “That’s what it was.”