Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel said something on Monday that would seem to be belaboring the obvious.

“Derrick (Henry) will be a large part of what we do,” Vrabel said. “… We’re going to need Derrick, and we’re going to need everybody in making sure that we get into a rhythm and that we figure out things we can do consistently, and Derrick will be a huge part of that, I can assure you.”

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Why would Vrabel need to say that?

After all, since the start of the 2019 season, Henry has 1,264 rushing attempts – 16 percent more than any other NFL player in that span even though Henry missed nine games in 2021 because of a foot injury.

A large part of what the Titans do, indeed.

But on Sunday, when Tennessee opened the final season of Henry’s four-year, $50 million contract with a 16-15 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the former Alabama All-American was not a huge part of what the Titans offense did, even though he produced 119 yards on 17 touches.

While Henry played 30 of Tennessee’s 63 offensive snaps, third-round rookie running back Tyjae Spears was on the field for 34.

Henry finished with 63 yards on 15 carries and 56 yards on two receptions. Spears had 27 yards on three carries and 1 yard on one reception.

“I don’t think it’s a new feature of the offense,” Vrabel said. “We’re just trying to get everybody involved and continue to find ways to get Tyjae and Derrick in there. Derrick certainly gave us a chance to win with his performance, and so did Tajae.

“Tried to hit him a few times down the field. Certainly his average, when he carried the football, would lend itself to tell us that he has to carry it more. Try to continue to get both of them involved.”

The Titans led the Saints 9-6 at halftime. Henry had five touches in the second half – five rushing attempts for 12 yards. Spears had all four of his touches in the second half.

The Los Angeles Chargers visit Tennessee on Sunday. The Titans most recently made the playoffs after losing their first two games in a season in 1990, when they were the Houston Oilers and rallied to a 9-7 record. Since then, the franchise has opened 0-2 six times, including last season, and missed the postseason each year.

Sunday’s game was the seventh since the start of the 2019 season in which Henry played but got no more than 15 rushing attempts. Tennessee lost all those games, while going 33-14 when Henry exceeded 15 carries.

“We got some playmakers, guys who are good with the ball when it’s in their hands, and we need to get those guys the ball, get those guys some opportunities,” Henry said after Sunday’s game. “Excited to see those guys get in and make some plays. We’re a team; it’s going to take all of us. …

“I trust the coaching staff, totally trust what we do. Like I said, we got some playmakers, guys who can get the ball and do special things, so everybody needs to touch the ball. It’s not all about me.”

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The Alabama Game of the Week is the Cleveland Browns-Pittsburgh Steelers contest on Monday night. Thirteen players from Alabama high schools and colleges are on the teams’ active rosters.

The complete Week 2 schedule (with all times Central and point spreads from Catena):

Thursday

· Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles (-6), 7:15 p.m. (Prime Video)

Sunday

· Green Bay Packers (-1) at Atlanta Falcons, noon (WBRC, WZDX, WALA, WCOV, WDFX)

· Las Vegas Raiders at Buffalo Bills (-9.5), noon

· Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (-3), noon

· Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions (-5), noon

· Indianapolis Colts (-1) at Houston Texans, noon

· Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars, noon (WIAT, WKRG, WAKA, WTVY)

· Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5), noon

· Los Angeles Chargers (-3) at Tennessee Titans, noon (WHNT)

· New York Giants (-5.5) at Arizona Cardinals, 3:05 p.m.

· San Francisco 49ers (-8) at Los Angeles Rams, 3:05 p.m.

· New York Jets at Dallas Cowboys (-9), 3:25 p.m. (WIAT, WHNT, WKRG, WAKA, WTVY)

· Washington Commanders at Denver Broncos (-3.5), 3:25 p.m.

· Miami Dolphins (-3) at New England Patriots, 7:20 p.m. (NBC)

Monday

· New Orleans Saints (-3) at Carolina Panthers, 6:15 p.m. (ESPN)

· Cleveland Browns (-2.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers, 7:15 p.m. (ABC)

CHECK OUT MAPS OF SUNDAY’S BROADCAST TV COVERAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.