The Baltimore Ravens could have a difficult decision to make before the NFL trade deadline, and Derrick Henry is a surprising name worth monitoring. With Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley dealing with major injuries, Baltimore's season is beginning to unravel, potentially opening the door for the veteran running back to become a trade candidate.
According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, Henry is someone to keep an eye on as the deadline approaches. The Ravens are expected to start an injured, undrafted third-string rookie quarterback against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night. A loss would drop Baltimore to 4-5, with no clear timeline for Jackson's return.
Henry turns 33 in January, and his contract situation could make a potential move easier to facilitate. He is scheduled to earn $12 million next season, but none of that money is guaranteed. His base salary this year is only $1.255 million, with the remainder of his $14 million compensation already paid through bonuses. That would make him relatively affordable for an interested team to acquire.
Still, trading Henry would represent a major decision for Baltimore. The Ravens remain talented across the roster, and moving one of their most important offensive players would signal that the organization is willing to rethink its direction for the remainder of the season.
Article Continues BelowWithout Jackson and Huntley, Baltimore will have a difficult time keeping its offense productive. The team could explore adding another quarterback, but trading Henry would be a much bigger statement.
A loss to Jacksonville could intensify the conversation surrounding Henry's future. If Baltimore does not believe it can compete for a championship this season, listening to trade offers for the veteran running back may become a more realistic possibility.