Smith: Henry Can Break My NFL Rushing Record — SkimNews
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- Emmitt Smith told DraftKings this week that he believes Derrick Henry could surpass his NFL all-time rushing record, citing Henry's size, body care, and conditioning.
- Derrick Henry sits 10th on the NFL's career rushing list with 13,162 yards, trailing Smith by 5,193 yards.
- At that gap, Henry would need roughly four more seasons averaging about 1,300 rushing yards per year to eclipse Smith's mark.
- Henry, 32, has totaled an NFL-best 3,660 yards rushing since joining the Ravens in 2025, averaging 104.6 yards per game with no signs of slowing down.
- Henry ran for 144 yards and three touchdowns in Baltimore's 41-23 season-opening win at the Colts on Sunday, prompting teammate Marlon Humphrey to say, "Maybe he can."
- Henry previously broke Smith's Florida high school rushing record, finishing with 12,124 career yards to Smith's 8,804.
- Smith himself surpassed Walter Payton as the NFL's all-time leading rusher at age 33 in 2002 before retiring at 35.
Why it matters: Henry is 32 and 5,193 yards behind Smith's record, meaning he would need roughly 1,300 rushing yards per season across four more years to claim the mark Smith set at age 33 in 2002. If he pulls it off, he would close a 24-year chapter atop the rushing leaderboard and become the first player in NFL history to overtake Smith, whose own benchmark displaced Walter Payton's.
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