D'Ernest Johnson An Option For Desperate Fantasy Managers
Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (hamstring) could get some opportunities to produce this week against the Detroit Lions after being removed from the final Week 11 injury report. With Tank Bigsby out with an ankle injury, Johnson should serve as the clear backup to Travis Etienne Jr. While the Jaguars have used multiple backs for most of the season, that is mostly due to Etienne's previous season performances and Bigsby's emergence this year. In the weeks when Etienne was out due to injury, Johnson didn't produce much. He did do decent against the Patriots in Week 6, producing 70 total yards on 12 touches. However, the Patriots have been one of the worst run defenses this season, while the Lions have been one of the better run defenses. Unless Johnson gets involved in the passing game, he is nothing more than a desperation fantasy option in Week 11 against the Lions.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (hamstring) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice. This is now back-to-back days that Johnson has been limited due to a lingering hamstring issue. Johnson has been quiet lately and only played four offensive snaps during last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. However, Johnson could see a bigger role this weekend with Tank Bigsby (ankle) unable to practice yet this week. Johnson would be the primary backup if Bigsby is unable to play, which would give him an uptick in value.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (hamstring) is officially active on Sunday in Week 10 versus the visiting Minnesota Vikings after being listed as questionable on the final injury report. Johnson will join Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby in Jacksonville's backfield this weekend but won't have any standalone fantasy value. The 28-year-old usually works on obvious passing situations, but he'd need an injury to either Etienne or Bigsby to see significant snaps on offense for the Jags. In his second year with Jacksonville, Johnson has just 28 rushing attempts for 114 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and no touchdowns while catching eight of 13 targets for an additional 77 yards. In the two games that Etienne missed due to injury, Johnson saw 10 carries for 41 yards and caught four of six targets for 52 yards for Jacksonville.
D'Ernest Johnson Small Chance For Workhorse Role Against Eagles
Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson could suddenly jump from third to first in the depth chart in Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Both Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby are questionable this week, so Johnson would be the next man up. For Johnson to be fantasy-relevant, it would likely take both players to be ruled out. In recent weeks with Etienne Jr. or Bigsby out, the starter dominated the touches. The Eagles are also a tough matchup for running backs in general, so it's hard to see a third-string running back having that much upside against them. With all the injuries to the receiving core though, the starting RB could be more involved in the passing game than usual. It would take two injuries, but Johnson does have potential as a flex play in Week 9 against the Eagles.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson is expected to once again see a heavier workload in the backfield. It seems likely that fellow back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) is going to be sidelined once again. That means, Johnson should serve as the primary backup to Tank Bigsby on Sunday. Last week, Johnson rushed nine times for 38 yards while hauling in three receptions for an additional 32 yards in the win over the New England Patriots. Fantasy managers should expect a similar workload from Johnson during Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers. That being said, Johnson should see enough time on the field to produce low-end flex value in Week 8.
D'Ernest Johnson Sees Increased Opportunities Sunday
Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson rushed for 38 yards on nine carries during Sunday's Week 7 win over the New England Patriots in London. He also got involved as a pass-catcher, hauling in three of his four targets for an additional 32 receiving yards. While Johnson operated as the clear backup to Tank Bigsby on Sunday, it was promising to see him stay productive while earning double-digit touches. With that said, his usage could decrease in a more negative game script scenario, such as next week versus the Green Bay Packers. Johnson is worth monitoring on the fantasy radar, but managers can't justify starting him in 12-team leagues yet.
D'Ernest Johnson A Deep-League Flex Play In Week 7
Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson could get more touches than usual with Travis Etienne Jr. questionable for Week 7's London matchup with the New England Patriots. Johnson has been third string behind Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby, but after Etienne Jr. went down with injury last week, Johnson had increased opportunities, garnering six carries for 28 yards and two receptions for 16 yards. The former Cleveland Brown isn't an exciting option but should get some chances against a weak Patriots run defense that got gashed by Joe Mixon last week. There is a possibiliTy Johnson gets only a couple of touches and Bigsby gets most of them, or Etienne Jr. does play and it's a dreaded three-way split, but it's also possible Johnson gets double-digit touches, and some goal-line carries. He is risky, but Johnson serves as an interesting flex play in deeper leagues in Week 7.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are re-signing running back D'Ernest Johnson to a one-year deal, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 28-year-old hit the open market on Monday but ultimately ended up coming back to the team's crowded running back room. Starter Travis Etienne has a secure spot as the lead back, while 2023 rookie Tank Bigsby is expected to see an enhanced role in 2024. This leaves Johnson in the RB3 and special teams running back role, so he'll remain off the fantasy radar next season unless both Etienne and Bigsby suffer injuries and miss time simultaneously. Johnson has rushed for just 846 yards since entering the NFL in 2019 with the Cleveland Browns.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson faces a tough Baltimore Ravens defense in Week 15. Johnson was removed from the injury report heading into the weekend after logging limited practice sessions this week, and should resume his backup role in the offense. The former Cleveland Brown appears to have usurped rookie Tank Bigsby as the No. 2 back over the past few weeks, as the latter has only played four total snaps in this time frame. This hasn't meant fantasy relevance for Johnson though, who has only seen 13 combined opportunities in these two weeks which has only led to a total of 5.2 points scored. Do not consider Johnson for any lineups in Week 15.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (knee) remained a limited participant during Thursday's practice session. Johnson has been limited in both practice sessions to begin the week. This is noteworthy because starting back Travis Etienne Jr. (ribs) has also been limited this week. The absence of Etienne would likely mean that Johnson would start this weekend against the Baltimore Ravens. However, they'd probably end up splitting up the snaps with Tank Bigsby. If Johnson sits, Bigsby would likely be tasked with being the primary backup, but there won't be a ton of value with the gig.
D'Ernest Johnson
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Jaguars
