Derrick Henry would like to see less of Deshaun Watson – AL.com

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry would be happy to see less of Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson — and not because they were the Pro Bowl representatives for the AFC’s 32-12 loss to the NFC in the “Pro Bowl: The Madden NFL 21 Edition” on Sunday.

With Sunday’s Pro Bowl canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, a streaming videogame version took its place with Henry and Watson representing the AFC along with former NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson and Snoop Dogg as the celebrity member. But they lost to Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, former NFL running back Mashawn Lynch and NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace.

Watson is at odds with the Texans and wants to be traded. Because Houston is an AFC South rival of Tennessee’s and is on the Titans’ schedule twice each season, Henry is fine with Watson going to another team because it would “be better for us.”

“It was always coming down to the wire,” Henry told Yahoo Sports of the Titans’ games against the Texans. “That’s the type of player Deshaun is. I know Deshaun so well. I wish the best in whatever happens for him. But like I said, that’s better for us that he’s out of the division. We definitely appreciate it.”

As an Alabama running back, Henry won the 2015 Heisman Trophy when Watson, who was Clemson’s quarterback, also was a finalist.

Tennessee has won its past three games against Houston, with Henry running for 673 yards and seven touchdowns. But Watson has a 3-3 record against the Titans as the Texans’ starting QB, with four of the games decided by six or fewer points.

If Watson gets his wish, Houston won’t be the only AFC South team with a new quarterback. The Indianapolis Colts’ Philip Rivers retired after the 2020 season, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to select a quarterback with the first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

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Opposing quarterbacks won’t be all that’s new for Henry in 2021. Henry has led the NFL in rushing for the past two seasons with Arthur Smith calling the plays for the Titans.

But Smith left his post as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator to become the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach.

“I’m excited for Arthur,” Henry said. “I’m going to miss Arthur, man. Been with Arthur since I came into the NFL and started playing for this organization. Arthur’s a great guy. I couldn’t think of anybody else who’s more deserving of the opportunity. I know he’s going to do a great job. I wish him the best in everything he does in his new coaching job in Atlanta. I know everybody on offense and in the organization is going to miss him.”

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Henry made those remarks before Tennessee named Smith’s replacement. On Friday, Titans coach Mike Vrabel announced that tight-ends coach Todd Downing had been promoted to offensive coordinator.

“Todd did a great job with the tight ends over the last two years and had important role in the game-planning process each week,” Vrabel said. “I was impressed with the details of his teaching and the production from his group and the offense in general. I am sure he will have some new ideas to implement, but the core system will be in place to build upon, which I think is important.”

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

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