Tennessee Titans activate Derrick Henry off injured reserve ahead of AFC playoff game vs. Bengals

The Tennessee Titans are activating star running back Derrick Henry from injured reserve, the team announced Friday.

The move clears Henry to play for the top-seeded Titans (12-5) against the Cincinnati Bengals (11-7) in the AFC divisional playoffs Saturday at Nissan Stadium (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS).

The return of the All-Pro running back, who missed the last nine games of the regular season on injured reserve with a foot injury, was long anticipated for the first game of the Titans’ playoff run. 

Henry was designated to return to practice on Jan. 5. The Titans bought him extra time for rest and practice by clinching a first-round bye with their victory against the Houston Texans on Jan. 9.

49ERS:How Deebo Samuel became one of NFL's singular game-changers

NFL DRAFT HUB: Latest NFL Draft mock drafts, news, live picks, grades and analysis.

COWBOYS:Owner Jerry Jones declines to endorse Mike McCarthy’s job security

Titans coach Mike Vrabel said last week the team wanted to see Henry perform cutting and reactionary work on his surgically repaired foot before clearing him to return to play. He was also put through contact drills for the first time since the injury Wednesday. Henry appears to have passed both tests. 

Tennessee made the two-time Pro Bowler available to speak to the media Wednesday despite the fact he was still on IR, an indication he would play in the divisional round. 

Before this season, Henry had missed just two games in the first five years of his career. 

The reigning offensive player of the year, Henry had 219 carries for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight regular-season games. 

The Titans on Friday also announced that defensive back Chris Jones will be a gameday elevation.

Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at barthur@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur.