This holiday season, Erin Henderson can be thankful for his health. The junior linebacker, who missed his first year at Maryland with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, has played through an array of injuries this fall.
A preseason All-ACC selection by numerous publications, Henderson hasn?t practiced regularly in about a month.
“After the North Carolina game, I could barely stand up,” Henderson said. “After the game [against Boston College], I was standing up right. And now I?m able to move a little bit better.”
Henderson injured his back against North Carolina and has been battling two ailing knees. Despite the injuries, Henderson has made all but one game ? a 28-26 victory over Georgia Tech on Oct. 6.
Henderson recovered a fumble in a 24-16 loss to Florida State last week, but his four tackles marked the first time he didn?t reach double-figures in tackles since the opener against Villanova, when he made nine stops.
“Not only is he hurt, but he hasn?t practiced for three weeks,” Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said. “It?s hard to go out there and play if you haven?t practiced.”
When healthy, Henderson is one of the best outside linebackers in the country. He ranks sixth nationally with 11.6 tackles per game and is a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, presented to the nation?s college top linebacker.
Maryland (5-6 overall, 2-5 ACC) will need a big performance from Henderson to defeat the Wolfpack (5-6, 3-4), who like the Terrapins, must win today?s game to have the six victories the NCAA requires to be eligible to play in a bowl game.
And Henderson has not been the only Terrapin playing hurt, either. On offense, Maryland has started 20 players this season.
“All season we?ve been playing for each other,” Henderson said. “Everybody realizes that we?re playing with injuries. That?s why I?m able to go out and play, I don?t want to feel like I?m letting my teammates down, that I?m letting my friends down.”
At Aberdeen High, Henderson played against Terrapin teammate Jeremy Navarre, then a standout at Joppatowne. Five years later, Henderson refuses to let his former rival down.
“He?s always a tough guy,” said Navarre, a junior defensive end. “This year, especially being hurt, he keeps playing through it. We?re lucky to have him on our team. We just thank him for coming and playing even though he?s hurt. A lot of guys would have just taken off. To have somebody back there making big plays, it kind of fuels the fire on defense.”
Henderson has a future to consider. He could forego his final season of eligibility and enter the National Football League Draft and follow in the footsteps of his brother, E.J. Henderson, a former Maryland standout who plays for the Minnesota Vikings.
Friedgen hoped to get Henderson on the practice field prior to today?s game. But as tough as it is for Henderson to watch practice, he knows he?s most valuable to the team on Saturdays.
“The only thing that?s helping my back and helping my knees is rest. Its tough,” Henderson said. “I don?t like to sit and watch at any occasion. I don?t like to see my teammates out there going through things when I sit on the sidelines not going through the same things. Its tough, but at the same time, I guess its for the best.”
