It was remarkable to witness such a fearsome individual, someone who has intimidated creatures of the likeNFLdefenders for the majority of a decade, so heartbroken.

But that would characterize a 6-2, 252-pound athleteBaltimore Ravens superstar running back Derrick Henryon Monday night, his third fumble in three gameshelping his team suffer their second defeat. Both of his lost fumbles have coincided with the losses of a 1-2 teamflooded with Super Bowl hopes in 2025.

Dressed in a gray sweatshirt at the team’s training facility on Wednesday, Henry, with his hood covering his face, didn’t appear to be carrying the full burden of the world just two days later. However, he was still deeply weighed down by his premature errors – his fumbles in those defeats against theBuffalo Bills and Detroit Lionsboth taking place in the fourth quarter.

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I’m still angry. I’m still upset with myself,” Henry said to reporters. “It’s an issue I need to fix, so I’m working on it. I’m putting in as much effort as I can to resolve this, and it’s challenging right now.

It’s just been a series of back-to-back weeks, which is unbelievable. That’s why you all saw me so upset. I was thinking, ‘I can’t believe this happened for the third time.’ However, I need to return to work and keep moving forward even though it’s tough. No one else can fix it except me, so I have to face it like a man. I accept everything that comes with it because it’s my duty to protect the ball for this organization.

Henry, 31, a five-time Pro Bowl participant and two-time rushing champion, is in his 10th season in the NFL and second with the team.RavensHe has gone for years without making mistakes. He only had one in 2024, when he topped the AFC with 1,921 rushing yards. Before Monday, he had never had more than one fourth-quarter fumble in a single season.

This is likely not a long-term problem, but Henry is confronting it with intense vigor.

Perhaps it’s something God intended for me to experience, and maybe He is testing my faith at this moment,” he stated. “I simply have to continue believing and keep striving. A few days ago, I told my family, ‘The tables will turn, and this hasn’t gone my way yet, but when they do, I’ll be prepared.’

I have the sense that I’m disappointing my teammates, which is something I truly don’t wish to do. Everyone understands that this isn’t intentional, but it’s an issue I need to address, and I will commit myself daily to ensuring this problem is resolved.

The Ravens don’t have much time to wait.

Already in the middle of a brief week, they are heading to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs, who are dealing with their own underwhelming 1-2 start. However, Kansas City has an impressive 5-1 record against Baltimore since both teams’ quarterbacks and multiple MVP winners, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, took over as starters.

“(I)t is a major match. We’re at 1-2. We don’t want to be 1-2, and that’s also true for them,” said Henry.

We must stay focused and do what is necessary to be prepared for Sunday.

WEEK 4 NFL PICKS: Do the Ravens or Chiefs secure their second victory?

Henry definitely appears to be and has consistently performed very well against the Chiefs, averaging almost 100 rushing yards and scoring nine touchdowns in seven games played against them.

But he is worthy of recognition for more than just that.

On early Tuesday morning, and once more on Wednesday, he offered deep, reflective responses to his challenges, revealing his openness and sensitivity. He also put himself in the spotlight—on two separate occasions—choosing to confront the situation instead of offering short, standard replies or avoiding the press like many troubled athletes have done in the past.

Perhaps that’s why, in addition to Henry’s own worry, none of the other members of the Ravens’ group appear to be concerned.

“He is extremely responsible. When someone cares so deeply about their work and is so successful—so skilled and so effective, and works so diligently—as a coach, you simply can’t focus on that,” said Ravens coach John Harbaugh on Wednesday.

I have no concerns about Derrick Henry whatsoever.

It’s also worth mentioning that his mistake against Buffalo completely altered the course of the game thatBaltimore fell 41-40 following a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter that they squandered.But his mistake against Detroit happened with 8:26 remaining and only resulted in a field goal for the Ravens. They had plenty of time to recover from the error – although it might take some time before Henry shakes off his new meme status after he slipped and fell onto Baltimore’s bench following a frustrated helmet slam after his mistake.

“(Y)ou will always blame yourself,” Jackson said on Wednesday.

We still had the potential to take action and create an outcome. We can’t hold him responsible for that. Players make mistakes.

And let’s not overlook the fact thatcredit defensive end Aidan Hutchinson for skillfully causing the fumble, Henry never seeing the Lions’ star retrace his steps into the play before punching the ball loose.

NFL POWER RANKINGS: How much will the Ravens drop before Week 4?

Moving ahead? It appears a reasonable assumption that Henry returns to using his signature stiff-arm to push defenders aside instead of fumbling the ball once more – especially given his current state.

It’s embarrassing for me to be discussing this, as I’m experiencing this problem,” he said. “However, you need to keep the ball high and secure to prevent it from being taken by the defense, ensuring it stays away from the defender so you can maintain possession.

Keep in mind that I’m putting in the work. It’s tough at the moment, but things will turn around. I guarantee it.

It seems like a man ready to make a significant breakthrough, both literally and metaphorically.

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This piece first was published on USA TODAY:”Angry” and “upset,” Ravens’ Derrick Henry deserves recognition despite fumbles

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