Searching for ‘derrick henrys handcugg’? You’re not alone — it’s one of the most common misspellings for Derrick Henry’s handcuff in fantasy football. Here’s the real answer.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Derrick Lamar Henry Jr. |
| Date of Birth | January 1, 1994 |
| Age | 32 |
| Place of Birth | Yulee, Florida |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | NFL Running Back |
| Current Team | Baltimore Ravens (#22) |
| College | University of Alabama |
| NFL Draft | 2016, Round 2, Pick 45 (Tennessee Titans) |
| Years Active | 2016–present |
| Notable For | All-time rushing yards leader among active players; 2× NFL rushing yards leader |
| Handcuff (Primary) | Justice Hill |
| Handcuff (Secondary) | Keaton Mitchell |
Who Is Derrick Henry’s Handcuff and Why Does It Matter?
Most fantasy managers know Derrick Henry. He’s one of the most dominant running backs of his generation. But the handcuff question — who fills in if Henry goes down — is where leagues are actually won and lost.
Here’s the deal: Henry is a workhorse. He delivered over 2,100 total yards, 18 touchdowns, and led the NFL in yards per carry at 5.9 during the 2024 season with the Ravens. That kind of usage creates two realities. He rarely misses games. But when he does, the backup inherits a gold mine of an offense.
The handcuff isn’t just a roster hedge. It’s insurance on one of the highest-floor assets in the game.
Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Derrick Henry’s Career: Why the Handcuff Question Carries So Much Weight
Henry’s signature stiff-arm has been central to his identity since childhood — he discovered the move at age 7 in Pop Warner football and never stopped using it. That same physicality is why he’s still relevant at 31.
Since 2017, when ESPN Research began tracking the stat, Henry has recorded 64 career stiff-arms on rushing attempts — 36 more than any other player in that span. And it isn’t just highlight-reel material. He’s accumulated an NFL-best 5,704 yards after contact since entering the league.
That kind of durability is rare. But it isn’t permanent.
Henry is entering his 10th season in the league, and after signing a two-year extension, looks ready to carry the ball for the Baltimore Ravens. He’s 31 years old — but has an enormous number of miles on his tires, making the backup position critically important.
Which brings us to the actual answer.
Biggest Career Milestone
In a Week 9 victory over the Denver Broncos in 2024, Henry reached 101 career rushing touchdowns, officially passing legends like Marshall Faulk, Franco Harris, and Shaun Alexander on the all-time list.
What Sets Henry Apart
Henry has outmuscled Pro Bowl linebackers and defensive backs throughout his career, leaving what teammates describe as more mental scars than physical ones on defenders who face him. No other active back combines his size, contact balance, and stiff-arm efficiency.
The Unanswered Question
How many more seasons can Henry sustain 300-plus carry workloads? No public data confirms a ceiling. His 2025 season showed some regression in team context — the Ravens entered Week 8 of the 2025 season with a 1-5 record, with Henry managing 122 yards on 24 carries in a strong Week 6 effort — but his individual output remained elite by any historical measure.
Tennessee Titans, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Who Is Derrick Henry’s Handcuff? Meet Justice Hill
The primary handcuff for Derrick Henry is Justice Hill, #43 for the Baltimore Ravens.
Hill was born on November 14, 1997, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa before playing college football at Oklahoma State from 2016 to 2018. He isn’t a household name. But he’s been in Baltimore longer than almost anyone in that backfield.
At the 2019 NFL Combine, Hill posted a 4.40-second 40-yard dash — the fastest time among running backs — along with top marks in both vertical and broad jump. The tools were never the question.
At Oklahoma State, Hill was one of the best backs in the country, rushing for 3,539 yards and 30 touchdowns across three seasons from 2016 to 2018. He earned two First-team All-Big 12 selections and was named Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2016.
The NFL, however, was a different story early on.
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Justice Hill’s NFL Career: A Six-Year Grind in Baltimore
Hill was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round, 113th overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft — acquired via a pick the Ravens received in the Joe Flacco trade. He spent his first two seasons fighting for snaps behind Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins.
Then came the injury that almost ended everything.
On September 6, 2021, Hill tore his Achilles, prematurely ending his season. He was placed on injured reserve two days later. For most backs, that’s a career-altering blow.
Hill came back.
Running Backs Coach Craig Ver Steeg noted during Hill’s 2022 comeback camp: “You see guys come back after those long-term injuries, and you want to feel their mindset. What we’re feeling out of him is, ‘Give me everything, coach.'” That mentality earned him another contract — and another shot.
Hill turned in his best professional season in 2022, averaging 5.3 yards per carry on 49 attempts and securing all 12 of his targets in his first season back from the Achilles injury. He was no longer an afterthought.
The arrival of Derrick Henry in 2024 changed his role — but didn’t eliminate it.
On September 20, 2024, Hill signed a new two-year, $6 million contract extension with Baltimore. That’s not handcuff money. That’s backup-who-we-trust money.
Justice Hill’s Role and Fantasy Value in 2025–26
Fantasy managers: here’s what you actually need.
In the 2025 season, Hill rushed 18 times for 93 yards and two touchdowns while catching 21 of 27 targets for 169 yards and one additional score across 10 appearances. The receiving numbers are the real story.
And that’s the thing — Hill isn’t just a “next-man-up” runner. He’s a genuine passing-down weapon.
After Henry, Lamar Jackson is essentially the Ravens’ second running back through designed runs and scrambles, which limits carry volume for other backs. The main backup behind Henry heading into 2026 is Justice Hill.
Hill has spent five years with the team as a platoon weapon. According to Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay, “Hill has been Baltimore’s backup RB option for the better part of the last half-decade and will remain in that spot this year, but there’s no real path towards earning a significant role in this run-heavy scheme without a serious injury to Derrick Henry.”
That context cuts both ways in fantasy. Low floor. Potentially enormous ceiling if Henry misses time.
Hill held off Keaton Mitchell and Rasheen Ali for the top change-of-pace role behind Henry while healthy, but he didn’t play after Week 12 due to a neck injury sustained in practice. Henry, Hill, and Ali are all under contract for 2026.
Keaton Mitchell: The Second Handcuff Option Worth Watching
Don’t sleep on Keaton Mitchell entirely.
Mitchell doesn’t carry workhorse appeal, but can function as a high-efficiency per-touch back — he averaged 8.4 yards per carry on 47 attempts over 8 games in his 2023 rookie season before injury derailed his development.
Hill held the top change-of-pace role behind Henry in 2025, with Mitchell and Rasheen Ali as further depth. Mitchell has shown explosiveness when healthy. The concern is health. He’s played only 13 games across his first two seasons.
For fantasy: Hill is the safer, more reliable handcuff. Mitchell is the high-upside flier.
Influence Table: Comparable Handcuff Situations Across the NFL
| RB Starter | Handcuff | Known For | Why Comparable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derrick Henry (BAL) | Justice Hill | Passing-down specialist | Long-tenured backup to elite workhorse |
| Christian McCaffrey (SF) | Jordan Mason | Receiving back / bell cow heir | Handcuff to high-usage, injury-risk star |
| Saquon Barkley (PHI) | Kenneth Gainwell | Change-of-pace back | Backup to elite first-round RB |
| Jonathan Taylor (IND) | Trey Sermon | Limited usage backup | Low-floor handcuff in run-heavy scheme |
| Josh Jacobs (GB) | Emanuel Wilson | Rotational back | Emergency handcuff to workhorse starter |
Fantasy Football Handcuff Strategy: What the Derrick Henry Situation Teaches Us
Not every handcuff is worth drafting. Henry’s is.
Here’s why it’s different from most. Baltimore runs the ball more than almost any team in the NFL. Henry finished second in the NFL in rushing yards and second in rushing touchdowns in 2024 after Baltimore relied on him as a true bell cow. The volume is enormous. Whoever steps in inherits a massive opportunity.
However, Hill’s situation has limits. Even as the handcuff, Hill ranked 25th on at least one major analyst’s handcuff value list, with the reasoning that no meaningful path exists to a large role without a Henry injury.
Still — in deeper leagues (12+ teams), Hill is a roster-lock if you draft Henry in the first two rounds. In shallower leagues, he’s a waiver wire priority the moment Henry misses a practice.
And that’s the thing about handcuffs. You don’t need them — until you desperately do.
Personal Life and Background
Justice Hill was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on November 14, 1997. He attended Booker T. Washington High School before his Oklahoma State career.
His brother, Daxton Hill, was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft — making the Hills one of the few families in recent NFL history with multiple first/high-round picks at different positions in the same era. Daxton plays safety. Justice plays the backfield. Different roles, same work ethic.
No public information exists confirming Justice Hill’s marital status, residence, or personal relationships. Those details are not publicly confirmed.
Legacy and Impact: What Justice Hill’s Persistence Actually Represents
Six years. One torn Achilles. Multiple depth chart battles. Hill is still there.
That’s the story underneath the fantasy football question. Hill isn’t just a placeholder. He’s a veteran who rebuilt his career after one of the most career-threatening injuries a running back can suffer. He’s the guy who answered “give me everything, coach” and meant it.
His impact isn’t cultural. It’s organizational. Baltimore kept him through the lean years, extended him twice, and trusts him in critical passing situations. As of 2026, Hill represents exactly what a quality backup looks like — undrafted-level contract, first-team-level preparation.
For fantasy purposes: he matters because Henry matters. For the broader football story: he matters because most players in his position don’t survive the Achilles and come back to sign two extensions with the same team.
Conclusion
Who is Derrick Henry’s handcuff? The answer is Justice Hill — with Keaton Mitchell as the explosive secondary option. Hill is the safer, more proven play. Mitchell is the boom-or-bust alternative. In a league where Henry handles 20-plus carries per game, whoever inherits that workload becomes an instant RB1. Draft Hill in the late rounds if you take Henry early. Keep tabs on Mitchell on the waiver wire. And understand that the most important fantasy pick you make might not be the star — it’s the backup who’s been quietly waiting six years for his moment.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Derrick Henry’s Handcuff
Who is Derrick Henry’s handcuff in fantasy football?
Justice Hill is the primary handcuff for Derrick Henry on the Baltimore Ravens. He’s the team’s established backup running back, under contract through 2026. Keaton Mitchell serves as a secondary handcuff with higher upside but more injury risk.
What is a fantasy football handcuff?
A handcuff is the backup running back to a high-usage starter. Fantasy managers draft the backup to protect against their starter missing games due to injury. If the starter goes down, the handcuff inherits a major workload — and immediate fantasy value.
Is Justice Hill worth drafting in fantasy football?
In leagues with 12 or more teams, yes — especially if you own Derrick Henry. Hill contributes in the passing game even when Henry is healthy, giving him a small floor. His ceiling is a top-20 RB finish if Henry misses multiple games.
How old is Justice Hill?
Justice Hill was born on November 14, 1997. He is 28 years old as of 2026.
Where is Justice Hill from?
Justice Hill was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Booker T. Washington High School and played college football at Oklahoma State University.
What happened to Justice Hill in 2021?
Hill suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the 2021 preseason, placing him on injured reserve for the entire year. He returned in 2022 and has remained on the Ravens roster through multiple contract extensions.
What did Justice Hill do in the 2025 NFL season?
Hill appeared in 10 games before a neck injury ended his 2025 season in Week 12. He recorded 18 carries for 93 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 21 receptions for 169 yards and 1 receiving touchdown.
Is Keaton Mitchell a better handcuff than Justice Hill?
Mitchell offers more explosive upside — he averaged 8.4 yards per carry in his limited healthy games. But Hill is the safer pick due to established tenure and pass-catching ability. Both have injury histories, but Hill has proven durability over a longer stretch.
Featured Image: Tennessee Titans, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
