Henry’s Fantasy Value Diminishes Without Jackson, rams Present Tough Matchup
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The outlook for Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry is increasingly tied to the health of quarterback Lamar Jackson, with a challenging Week 6 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams looming. Fantasy football managers should consider choice options if Jackson remains sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
Recent performance data reveals a significant drop in Henry’s effectiveness when Jackson is absent. Last week, Henry averaged a mere 2.2 yards per carry, marking his second-worst rate in a Ravens uniform.He registered -4 yards before contact,his third-worst figure with the team.
Impact of Jackson’s Absence on henry’s Production
The absence of Jackson fundamentally alters the defensive approach teams take against the ravens. According to one analyst, “Without Jackson, teams are able to load up more up front, especially given the injuries Baltimore is dealing with on the offensive line.” This increased defensive focus has demonstrably impacted Henry’s ability to generate positive yardage.
Notably, the past two weeks represent the only games since the beginning of last season where Henry failed to force a missed tackle. He also faced the fourth-lowest rate of light boxes – defensive alignments with fewer than eight men near the line of scrimmage – in any game as a Raven,with two of the other three instances occurring earlier this season. This suggests opponents are consistently prioritizing stopping the run when Jackson isn’t under center.
Rams’ Defense Poses Significant Challenge
The Week 6 contest against the Rams presents a notably unfavorable matchup for Henry. Los Angeles currently allows the fifth-fewest yards before contact and has yet to concede a single rushing touchdown to a running back this season.In total, the Rams have yielded the third-fewest fantasy points to the running back position.
Furthermore, Henry’s limited role in the passing game raises concerns about his potential value if the Ravens fall behind. “If Baltimore falls behind, you have to worry about him being game scripted out,” a source noted, suggesting a potential decrease in touches as the team shifts to a pass-heavy approach.
strategic Considerations for Fantasy Managers
While Henry remains a viable fantasy option, his ceiling appears significantly lowered without Jackson’s presence. He is “far from a must-sit,” but managers with alternative running back options should strongly consider benching him for Week 6. The combination of Jackson’s potential absence and the Rams’ stout run defense creates a challenging scenario for the veteran back.
Why: The article examines the impact of quarterback Lamar Jackson’s hamstring injury on the fantasy football value of running back Derrick Henry.
Who: The key figures are Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson, and fantasy football managers. Analysts are also quoted.
What: The article details how Henry’s performance significantly declines when Jackson is absent, and how the Rams’ strong run defense further complicates matters for Henry in Week 6.
How did it end?: The article concludes that while Henry isn’t a “must-sit,” fantasy managers with other options should consider benching him due to the challenging matchup and Jackson’s potential absence. The situation creates a lowered ceiling for Henry’s fantasy production.
