Dexter Lawrence has a plan for stopping Derrick Henry

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) unwraps his fingers during practice on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Kettering Health Practice Fields in downtown Cincinnati. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co The Cincinnati Bengals’ struggling run defense gets its toughest challenge of the y

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What is the story about?

The Cincinnati Bengals’ struggling run defense gets its toughest challenge of the year in the massive, powerful Derrick Henry.

The centerpiece of the run defense, Dexter Lawrence, talked about what his unit’s strategy will be to slow down the Baltimore Ravens running back.

He told Mike Petraglia that the emphasis in practice on Wednesday was tackling. “We got to wrap him up, and we got to bring him down,” he said. “He’s a big dude running the ball.”

Lawrence then revealed what his strategy will be on

Sunday. “I think with a guy like him, just the big guys up front just can’t let him climb to the second level,” the nose tackle said. “We got to build a wall and keep him behind it.”

This is actually what a Ravens YouTuber told us recently about Henry’s running style.

“If the Bengals can get guys in the backfield as soon as Derrick Henry touches the ball, that’s the only way to stop him,” Graven said. “That’s his weakness. He’s a one-cut running back.”