Painful Memory? Titans TE Jonnu Smith Appreciates Derrick Henry's 99-Yard Run Despite His Serious Injury on Play

Sep 19, 2019 at 10:03 AM

Jim Wyatt

Senior Writer/Editor

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Derrick Henry's 99-yard touchdown run against the Jaguars last December made NFL history.

It's a play Titans fans will never forget.

Titans tight end Jonnu Smith's memory of the play is different.

He suffered a gruesome knee injury while making a block on the play that required surgery and started his eight-month recovery process.

Looking back, Smith still appreciates the memorable moment, despite his pain.

"It's football, man," Smith said this week. "I can't control that. It's just an unfortunate part of the game I had to go through, but it was a hell of a play. If it was to happen, I would want it to happen on a play like that."

On the play, Smith lined up on the left side of the line. He made a critical block to spring Henry – he actually shielded two Jaguars as Henry busted through the hole. But Smith got pushed back into a pile of players. Smith's knee went, as Henry went by him.

He remembers hearing the roar of the crowd.

And what Titans coach Mike Vrabel said to him on the field.

"I didn't know that we scored until coach came over and said, 'We just took it to the house – 99 yards," Smith said with a smile. "And I was like, 'Dang.' So that was some light in the situation I was dealing with at the time.

"It was a bittersweet moment. When I watch the play now, I don't pay attention to myself. I pay attention to the guys and their effort on the play, and of course Derrick. When I look at that play, I don't look at me."

On Thursday night, Smith will line up against the Jaguars again.

Earlier this offseason, Vrabel praised Smith for his approach in rehab, and his work ethic. Smith has played in each of the team's first two games.

"As soon as I went down and I knew what I would be faced with, my mindset was to do everything I could to get back as heathy as possible, as soon as possible," Smith said. "I am here now and focused on getting this win this week."

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) before the first half of an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball against Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Myles Jack (44) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 06, 2018 in Nashville,TN. (Aaron Doster via AP)

Aaron Doster

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) breaks a tackle by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Ronnie Harrison (36) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Henry scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/James Kenney)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs against Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Henry scored a touchdown on the 99-yard run. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) falls into the end zone for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs out of the backfield against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Henry scored a touchdown on the 99-yard run. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs past Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Leon Jacobs (48) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Henry scored a touchdown on the 99-yard run. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) celebrates his touchdown with Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown against Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs past Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) dances in the end zone after a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) is seen on the field against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) takes the snap against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 06, 2018 in Nashville,TN. (Aaron Doster via AP)

Aaron Doster

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 06, 2018 in Nashville,TN. (Aaron Doster via AP)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/James Kenney)

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El running back de los Titans de Tennessee, Derrick Henry (22), corre y desplaza con un brazo al safety de los Jaguars de Jacksonville, Tashaun Gipson (39), durante la segunda mitad de un juego de la NFL, el jueves 6 de diciembre de 2018, en Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/James Kenney)

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Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) defends against Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 06, 2018 in Nashville,TN. (Aaron Doster via AP)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs past Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Nick DeLuca (57) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

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Fox broadcaster Erin Andrews speaks with Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/James Kenney)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry speaks about his NFL cleats after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball as he is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 06, 2018 in Nashville,TN. (Aaron Doster via AP)

Aaron Doster

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FILE - In this Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, file photo, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown past Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) during the second half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. Unthinkable at the start of December, Henry has piled up a franchise-record 408 yards over his past two games to put the Titans running back 118 yards shy of his first 1,000-yard rushing season. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 06, 2018 in Nashville,TN. (Aaron Doster via AP)

Aaron Doster

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry speaks to fans at the NFL broadcast booth after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 06, 2018 in Nashville,TN. (Aaron Doster via AP)

Aaron Doster

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The NFL broadcasters work as Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) and Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan (77) are interviewed after an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) greets fans after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/James Kenney)

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