FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The touchdown connection between San Diego Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers and former Razorback tight end is starting to become a normal occurrence. Rivers hooked up with Henry for the sixth time this season, when he found the former Mackey Award winner and All-American at the end of the first half for San Diego’s first score.
Henry continues to carry the torch for former Razorbacks in the NFL through Week 14, as his touchdown was his sixth in the last nine games, which still leads all rookie tight ends. Henry finished the game with two catches for 13 yards, his fourth game in his last five appearances with two or more catches.
Unfortunately, the score was not enough to put the Chargers (5-8) over as they suffered their third loss in their last four games, falling to the Carolina Panthers (5-8), 28-16.
Even though San Diego is on the brink of missing the playoffs, it has a lot to look forward to in its future with Henry. The Little Rock, Arkansas native has started 10 of 12 games this year at tight end and has accumulated 29 catches for 398 yards and six touchdowns.
Henry’s six scores is tied for 11th among all pass catchers in the NFL and tied for the most among all tight ends. 23 of his 29 catches have gone for first downs as his 79.3 percent of catches for first downs is still best among tight ends with 20 or more catches.
Henry burst onto the scene back in Week 3 when future hall of famer Antonio Gates went down with an injury, giving the rookie Henry a chance to show his stuff. Going up against the Indianapolis Colts and making his second career start, Henry caught five passes for 72 yards. The next week, Henry delivered his first career touchdown against New Orleans. Over those four games between Weeks 3 and 6, Henry combined for 290 yards and three touchdowns and was the first rookie since 2014 to have a touchdown grab in three straight games.
Make It Six For Hunter Henry