Derrick Henry is averaging one fumble per game this season. These recent struggles with ball security have drawn attention from NFL veterans, including three-time Super Bowl champion Devin McCourty.
During Monday night's loss, the Baltimore Ravens star running back's fumble played a key role in swinging momentum in the Detroit Lions' favor.
Speaking on Pro Football Talk, McCourty broke down what Henry must do to protect the football and regain his confidence.
"One of the biggest things is he has to see just where that elbow is," McCourty said during the discussion with Mike Florio on Tuesday. "When that elbow's low, it might look like you have the ball and you're in good shape, but when it's low, there's not a ton of pressure on it."
McCourty pointed to a simple but critical adjustment: keeping that elbow "high and tight." That position keeps the ball close to the body, reducing the chances of defenders knocking it loose. "When the elbow's low, it gets a little bit away from the body," he explained. "When it's nice and high and tight, there's nowhere to punch."
Derrick Henry is visibly frustrated as the Lions lead the Ravens in the 4th. pic.twitter.com/VKLBfwFAQ7
— ESPN (@espn) September 23, 2025
McCourty knows that Henry can't run with that arm position all the time, especially in traffic or when pushing for extra yards, but this technique is key to minimizing costly turnovers.
"Until he gets that confidence back, we might see him put a little more emphasis on keeping it high and tight," he added.
Derrick Henry apologizes following costly fumble
After Monday's 38-30 loss, Derrick Henry addressed his emotions and apologized for the fumble.
"I'm at a loss for words," Henry said. "I apologize to Flock Nation. It's not a good feeling. I'm going to keep working to get it fixed."
For a star like Henry, this is likely just a brief slump. Calling himself his "worst critic," he's confident he'll figure it out soon.