Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said the team intends to carefully handle running back Derrick Henry’s practice volume in training camp, aiming to keep the veteran productive across a full NFL season and into the postseason.
Minter shared the approach following Wednesday’s session at the Under Armour Performance Center. He stressed the strategy centers on long-term readiness rather than any worry about diminished ability.
“I do think, like all the players, we are going to have to be really smart to get him through the long season… I do not look at that from an, ‘Oh, he is slowing down’ standpoint, but that is our job,” Minter said.
“So, there will be a lot of those guys that throughout camp. He may get a few less team reps in a day. He may get a day where he is not doing as much. (You will) see that with some of the guys. But again, the way that guy goes about his business is really impressive.”
The first-year coach made clear that similar adjustments could apply to other veterans as the Ravens balance daily preparation against the demands of a 17-game schedule and beyond.
Minter pointed to Henry’s daily approach as a key reason for confidence in the plan.
“The thing that strikes me the most about him is just his intent every day. The success that he’s had is a combination of being gifted and having some tools, but also one of the craziest work ethics and just work demeanors that I’ve been around.”
Henry, who is beginning his 11th NFL campaign and nearing his 32nd birthday, met with reporters later the same day and dismissed any notions of stepping away from the game.
“I haven’t thought about retirement at all,” Henry said.
The star back instead emphasized continued improvement, adapting to the Ravens’ updated offensive scheme and maintaining his established training habits while helping the team chase a championship.
Henry has given Baltimore consistent production since joining the franchise, establishing himself as one of the league’s most distinctive and productive running backs. The organization sees little basis to doubt his ability to perform at a high level again this year.
Still, Minter and the coaching staff view thoughtful management of practice snaps as essential. Reducing team periods on certain days or granting lighter sessions forms part of a broader effort to have Henry available and effective when December and January arrive.
The Ravens enter camp under a new head coach after previous seasons of strong regular-season results that fell short of a Super Bowl title. Preserving key contributors such as Henry ranks among the early priorities.
Minter’s comments underscore a deliberate focus on sustainability. The goal remains maximizing Henry’s impact in meaningful games rather than maximizing every repetition in July and August.
Henry’s track record and work habits continue to impress those around him. By limiting unnecessary wear in the early stages of camp, Baltimore aims to keep its premier rusher primed for the stretch run and potential deep playoff involvement.
The approach reflects standard practices for aging standouts across the league, applied here to a back whose physical style and durability have long set him apart.
