Derrick Henry has added another historic chapter to his legendary career. On Sunday afternoon, the Baltimore Ravens running back made history by passing Walter Payton for fifth place on the NFL’s all-time rushing touchdown list in the second quarter of Baltimore’s home game against the Chicago Bears, reaching the end zone without being touched. Henry now holds fifth place all-time. This milestone establishes his status among the greatest power backs in league history.
Aug 16, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The milestone highlights Henry’s 111th rushing touchdown in 143 career games. This shows his unique combination of durability and skill. Known for his powerful playing style, this achievement highlights his consistent performance. Few running backs in modern football have kept up the same level of play and production that Henry has offered for almost ten years.
The touchdown happened in a season that has challenged Henry’s patience and determination. As he entered Week 8, he had registered his lowest number of rushing attempts through six games since 2018. This change reflects Baltimore’s shifting offense. When the Ravens needed a statement drive against Chicago, the veteran delivered again, powering left, cutting behind his blocker, and striding upright.
Henry’s fifth touchdown of the 2025 season was perhaps the most meaningful. With his place in the record books now secure, the Ravens star joins a list dominated by legends: Emmitt Smith, LaDainian Tomlinson, Marcus Allen, and Adrian Peterson. Each name represents a different era, and now Henry’s name is a reminder of how physical football greatness still defines today’s game.
Henry’s milestone run wasn’t just a personal victory; it resonated across a Ravens locker room built on physicality. For a player whose style thrives on punishing contact, passing a name like Walter Payton, the embodiment of grit and grace, carries deep symbolism. “One of Derrick Henry’s easiest touchdowns of his career was among the most momentous,” wrote [_Jamison Hensley_](https://www.espn.in/nfl/story/_/id/46733911/ravens-henry-passes-payton-5th-all-rushing-tds) for _ESPN_, summarizing the duality of the moment: effortless execution, monumental impact.
As Baltimore continues its push through the AFC, Henry’s value extends beyond numbers. Every short-yardage gain, every red-zone carry, now carries echoes of history. With the legends of the past in sight and more milestones ahead, Derrick Henry is reinforcing a legacy built on endurance and timeless consistency.