Darrell Henderson Jr., brings experience, a knack for finding the end zone to Jags RB room

Darrell Henderson Jr. is thankful there were some familiar faces in the Jaguars locker room to greet him last week after he was claimed on waivers from the Los Angeles Rams. 

There's cornerback Chris Claybrooks, who played with Henderson for two years at Memphis. 

There's kicker Riley Patterson, who also played for the Tigers with Henderson for two years. 

And there's also Travis Etienne, the Jaguars' leading rusher who Henderson may be asked to provide some backup for the rest of the season, possibly starting on Sunday at Detroit (1 p.m., FOX) when the two 4-7 teams play at Ford Field. 

"Met Travis at the college football awards show [in 2018 in Orlando] ... really great guy," Henderson said Wednesday after the Jaguars practice. "Then Chris and Riley already being here ... it's really helped making the move." 

Henderson and Etienne were beaten out for the 2018 Doak Walker Award as college football's best running back by Jonathan Taylor. Etienne led all running backs that season with 24 touchdowns and Henderson was next with 22.

That was a pretty good final three for the top running back in college that season. And the Jaguars now have two of them.

Henderson has no hard feelings

In addition to the most immediate concern — providing depth if Etienne's foot injury last week in the victory over Baltimore lingers a bit longer — could Henderson combine with Etienne as the one-two punch the Jaguars envisioned at the start of the season with Etienne and the since-traded James Robinson? 

That's getting a bit ahead of the game. For right now the Jags coaching staff is trying to get Henderson acclimated to the offense and there are no guarantees he will be active on Sunday. 

"It’ll be important, spending a little extra time with him," Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said of working to bring Henderson up to speed. "Coach [Bernie] Parmalee will get him ready to go if need be. He’s a veteran guy, he’s played. It’s a matter of understanding a little terminology. We won’t throw the whole thing at him but give him a series of plays that he’s comfortable with.” 

Henderson was waived Nov. 22 after gaining 283 yards and scoring three touchdowns, and catching 17 passes for 102 yards in 10 games. Henderson had recently fallen behind starter Cam Akers and rookie Kyren Williams in the rotation but said he's not upset after spending the better part of four years with the Rams and earning a Super Bowl ring last year. 

There were also reports that Henderson had tweaked a knee but he said he's healthy and ready to go — and bears no ill will to the Rams for cutting him.

"They did me a favor," he said, referring to waiving him and giving him a chance to latch on with another team. "I'll always be grateful to the Rams for giving me my chance in the league. I'm feeling fine and ready to contribute." 

Henderson led potent offense at Memphis

Henderson is a fireplug at 5-feet-8 and 208 pounds, but is quick to the hole and fast in the open field. 

"Oh, man, the plays he made for us," Claybrooks said of Henderson's career at Memphis. "We had an explosive offense and he was one of those guys who could get the ball and be a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Plus, he's a really good guy and a veteran. I think he will fit right in here." 

Claybrooks said he texted Henderson when he found out he got cut by the Rams and offered encouragement. 

"I told him he'd get picked up soon," Claybrooks said. 

Little did either of them know that soon would come 24 hours later, and with the Jaguars. 

Henderson ran for 3,545 yards, 36 touchdowns and 16 100-yard games in three seasons at Memphis, playing for current Florida State coach Mike Norvell. He also caught 63 passes for 758 yards and eight more scores, and is second on the Tigers' career lists in rushing, rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns, all-purpose yards and 100-yard games behind only DeAngelo Williams. 

As a junior in 2018, Henderson ran for 1,909 yards. 

Good in zone scheme

He was drafted in the third round by the Rams and has gained 1,742 yards, scored 13 touchdowns and averaged 4.4 yards per carry as a pro. He also has 66 receptions for 474 yards and four scores. 

Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor loves the thought of Henderson in the Jaguars offense. 

"I think he can be a good zone runner," he said. "He’s a powerfully built guy, so we think in his experience [in] a zone system, obviously playing for the Rams, [is] something we like to do now.  We’re just overall excited to continue to work with him, evaluate him, and see where he fits with the rest of the room.” 

Henderson's pattern from South Panola High School in Mississippi to the NFL has been a nose for the end zone. He has scored 129 touchdowns, 68 in high school, 44 in college and 17 in the NFL. 

Henderson said he's also excited about being in Jacksonville for the possibility of Florida State and his old college coach being in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. Bowl selection day is Sunday and the Seminoles are coveted by the Gator Bowl. 

"He's [Norvell] doing a great job with them," Henderson said. "If they get to Jacksonville, I'll be rooting them on."

Contact Garry Smits at gsmits@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @GSmitter