Saturday’s Ravens-Packers matchup had the feel of an unusual December game. Both teams were leaning on backup quarterbacks, the playoff picture was already complicated, and the spotlight felt slightly off-center.
Then Derrick Henry reminded everyone why he still commands attention across the league. With two first-half touchdowns, Henry quietly crossed into rare territory, becoming a top 10 rusher in NFL history. He got to 12,743, four yards ahead of Tony Dorsett.
The moment landed hard enough that the NFL itself paused to acknowledge it in real time. In a league that cycles through running backs quickly, Henry’s longevity and production continue to stand out. Even at 31, he is still piling up milestones, still moving the chains, and still forcing the football world to stop and take notice.
TOP 10 📈
More accomplishments for Derrick Henry. pic.twitter.com/KFiv7Sc8eh— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2025
A Milestone That Stopped the NFL Timeline
As Henry found the end zone twice in the first half, the league made it official with a simple message. Top 10. More accomplishments for Derrick Henry. It was the kind of acknowledgment reserved for players who have moved beyond weekly box scores and into historical conversations. In a season where the Ravens have struggled to stay afloat at 7-8, Henry’s performance offered a reminder that individual greatness can still shine through tough stretches.
Doing It in a Strange Game Script
The setting made the milestone even more interesting. Baltimore was led by Tyler Huntley, while Green Bay countered with Malik Willis under center. Despite the unusual quarterback matchup, Henry controlled the tone early. His physical running style punished defenders and kept the Ravens competitive against a Packers team sitting at 9-5. In a game defined by backups and adjustments, Henry was the constant.
From Alabama to NFL Immortality
Henry’s path to this moment has never been subtle. A former star at Alabama, he entered the league as the 45th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. At 6 feet 2 and 252 pounds, he never fit the mold of a modern finesse back. Instead, he has built a career on power, durability, and an ability to take over games late. Now, at 31, that approach has carried him into the top 10 rushing list all time.
Where Henry Now Stands All Time
Henry now joins a list that reads like a history book of the position. The names ahead of him define entire eras of football.
- Emmitt Smith 18,355
- Walter Payton 16,726
- Frank Gore 16,000
- Barry Sanders 15,269
- Adrian Peterson 14,918
- Curtis Martin 14,101
- LaDainian Tomlinson 13,684
- Jerome Bettis 13,662
- Eric Dickerson 13,259
Henry is now right there with them, a modern power back standing shoulder to shoulder with legends.
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
What It Means for the Ravens and the League
For the Baltimore Ravens, Henry’s milestone offers something positive in a challenging season. For the Green Bay Packers, it was another reminder of how difficult he is to slow down, no matter the circumstances. For the rest of the league, it reinforces how rare Henry’s career has been. In an era where running backs often fade quickly, Derrick Henry keeps climbing, and the NFL keeps reacting.
Henry’s next target is just 500 yards behind, so look out the King in years to come!
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