NBC's Sunday Night Football will feature star power as two of the NFL's top ball carriers face off. Following Thursday's practice, Derrick Henry called Bijan Robinson the best running back in football ahead of the Ravens’ Sunday night matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
“He’s the best in the game right now — he’s doing it all,” Henry said, via Jamison Hensley of ESPN. “I ain’t gonna shy away from it. He’s doing a great job, hell of a back.”
Henry praised Robinson’s effectiveness in Atlanta’s offense and his ability to create yards when the blocking doesn't create a clean path.
“He does a great job in their system,” Henry said. “Then [he] does a great job when the play is not exactly how they want it — he knows how to make guys miss, and be able
to get vertical, and get the most out of a play, for sure.”
Robinson’s receiving production adds another dimension to that challenge. He caught 58 passes for 487 yards as a rookie in 2023, then 61 for 431 yards in 2024. Last season, he caught 79 passes for 820 yards and four receiving touchdowns, along with 1,478 rushing yards. That combination produced 2,298 yards from scrimmage in 2025. Through four games this season, Robinson has 494 rushing yards and 120 receiving yards, with five combined touchdowns.
Ravens RB Derrick Henry on Bijan Robinson: “He’s the best in the game right now. He’s doing it all. I’m not going to shy away from it.” pic.twitter.com/3tHmplQj3D
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 8, 2026
Henry brings a different production profile to Sunday’s matchup. He rushed for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024, then 1,595 yards and another 16 rushing touchdowns in 2025. He has 374 rushing yards and seven touchdowns through four games this season. The receiving comparison shows how heavily Atlanta can involve Robinson through the air. His 79 catches last season far exceeded Henry’s 15 receptions for 150 yards.
For Baltimore’s defense, Robinson’s receiving ability makes the matchup even more urgent for linebackers in coverage. He can threaten underneath and turn a short completion into extra yardage, extending his influence beyond the run. Henry’s assessment reflects the challenge of defending a back who can contribute in both phases.
Bijan Robinson and Derrick Henry: Recent production
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens' Derrick Henry calls Bijan Robinson 'the best RB in the game'
