FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – When tight end Hunter Henry was drafted into the NFL last spring, there wasn’t any doubt in Razorback fans’ minds that the Little Rock, Arkansas native had the skills to thrive at the next level. Now, the rest of the NFL is taking notice.
Henry added another touchdown to his resume Sunday against the Houston Texans and helped San Diego secure its fifth win of the year. Midway through the fourth quarter, quarterback Philip Rivers found Henry in the end zone from 12 yards out to up the Chargers’ lead to 21-10.
The touchdown grab was Henry’s fifth of the year, earning him the spotlight as the only rookie tight end in the NFL with five touchdown catches. His scores are the most by a rookie tight end since 2013 and his touchdowns this year are tied with all other rookie tight ends combined.
TD by Rookie Tight Ends This Season
Hunter Henry 5
All others 5 pic.twitter.com/QWHLgX4Gdl
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 27, 2016
Henry was making his ninth start of the year and it was his third straight game with two or more catches. Overall, the John Mackey Award winner has 26 catches this season for 371 yards and five touchdowns. Henry is averaging 14.3 yards per catch, which is 16th among all NFL tight ends. He also has 21 catches for a first down and six catches for 20 or more yards. All of his totals are best among all rookie NFL tight ends.
Another Touchdown For HH
Derby Has Best Game As Bronco
Hunter Henry wasn’t the only former Razorback tight end that performed well in Week 12. Former quarterback turned tight end A.J. Derby turned in his best game since becoming a Denver Bronco back in Week 8. Now five weeks removed from his trade from the New England Patriots and coming off the bye week, Derby doubled his receptions and nearly his receiving yards against Kansas City on Sunday in the Broncos’ 30-27 loss in overtime.
Derby pulled in four catches on all four targets for 43 yards against the Chiefs and both are career highs. Each of his catches also came on crucial third down plays to keep the drive alive including one in overtime. Four of Derby’s six catches this year have gone for first downs and seems to have helped him emerge as the Broncos’ top tight end option for the coming weeks.
#ProHogs Tweet of the Week
A.J. Derby is straight cash on third downs.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 28, 2016
Other #ProHogs Stars of the Week
Trey Flowers – DE New England Patriots
It was another week, another 3+ tackle performance for defensive end Trey Flowers Sunday against the New York Jets. Flowers, who has emerged as a strong defensive end option for the Patriots has started the last three games and has totaled 15 tackles and two sacks in that span.
Against the Jets, Flowers had four tackles and recovered his first fumble of his career in the Patriots 22-17 win. Flowers upped his season tackle total to 28 over 11 games, with 15 being solo tackles. In just the last four games, three being starts, Flowers has 16 tackles with five going for a loss, as well as four sacks.
#ProHogs Roundup
Name, Position
Team
Week 12 Notes
Brandon Allen, QB
Jacksonville Jaguars
Inactive at Buffalo
Alvin Bailey, OL
Cleveland Browns
1 tackle on special teams vs. New York Giants; 23 snaps on offense; 3 snaps on ST.
Alex Collins, RB
Seattle Seahawks
6 snaps on offense at Tampa Bay.
Knile Davis, RB
Kansas City Chiefs
3 carries for 6 yards at Denver; 10 snaps on offense.
AJ Derby, TE
Denver Broncos
4 catches on 4 targets for 43 yards vs. Kansas City; 40 snaps on offense; 6 snaps on ST.
Trey Flowers, DE
New England Patriots
Started third straight game; 4 tackles, 1 fumble recovery at New York Jets; 36 snaps on defense.
Brett Goode, LS
Green Bay Packers
Plays Monday night at Philadelphia.
Cobi Hamilton, WR
Pittsburgh Steelers
Started at WR at Indianapolis; 1 catch for 5 yards; 31 snaps on offense; 6 snaps on ST.
Hunter Henry, TE
San Diego Chargers
Started at TE at Houston; 2 catches for 20 yards and 1 TD; Leads all rookie tight ends in TDs.
Denver Kirkland, OL
Oakland Raiders
Inactive vs. Carolina
Ryan Mallett, QB
Baltimore Ravens
Did not play vs. Cincinnati.
Jason Peters, OT
Philadelphia Eeagles
Plays Monday night vs. Green Bay.
Darius Philon, DE
San Diego Chargers
2 tackles at Houston, 1 solo tackle. Has 9 tackles on the season.
Chris Smith, DE
Jacksonville Jaguars
Inactive at Buffalo.
Martrell Spaight, LB
Washington Redskins
14 ST snaps at Dallas.
Travis Swanson, C
Detroit Lions
Started at C vs. Minnesota; 61 snaps on offense; 4 snaps on ST.
Robert Thomas, DT
New York Giants
12 snaps on defense at Cleveland.
Sebastian Tretola, G
Tennessee Titans
Inactive at Chicago
Jonathan Williams, RB
Buffalo Bills
3 carries for 12 yards vs. Jacksonville; 15 snaps on offense; 6 snaps on ST.
Jarius Wright, WR
Minnesota Vikings
5 snaps on offense at Detroit.
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