Running back David Johnson officially announced his retirement on Sunday. The 32-year-old was taken in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played for three teams, suiting up for the Cardinals, Texans, and Saints. However, Johnson's most productive years were in Arizona, where he had his best season in 2016 by rushing for 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns off 293 carries and adding 80 catches for 879 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, injuries didn't allow him to recapture the same magic from the 2016 season, although he still had a productive career, ending with 4,071 rushing yards, 2,805 receiving yards, and 57 total touchdowns.
New Orleans Saints veteran running back David Johnson had his heaviest usage on the season in Saturday's victory over the Cleveland Browns due to the cold nature of the game, but did not turn his usage into production. Johnson carried the ball seven times for 16 yards and caught a pass for eight yards. He is the clear handcuff to Alvin Kamara but with one week of the fantasy season left he can be left on waivers in all formats. Johnson was a late addition to the team after Mark Ingram II (MCL) went down, and will likely find himself in a similar situation next season if still looking for a job in the NFL.
The New Orleans Saints have promoted veteran running back David Johnson from the practice squad to their active roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams. The 30-year-old will fill a depth role with Mark Ingram II (knee) sidelined once again this week. Johnson hasn't played an NFL down since 2021 with Houston. Through 13 games last year, he totaled 228 rushing yards, 225 receiving yards, and one touchdown. He should be left on waivers in all fantasy leagues.
Free-agent running back David Johnson was unable to come to terms with the Saints on a contract. The former Pro Bowler recently made a stop in New Orleans to participate in the team's minicamp. However, after not landing a deal, Johnson will likely continue to search for work. The 30-year-old was once a dominant force in the fantasy community, finishing his best season in 2016 by rushing for 1,239 yards, along with 80 catches for 879 yards. He also found the end zone 20 times that year. Yet, he hasn't been the same since then, battling injuries and underwhelming play along the way. Nonetheless, Johnson should receive some interest from more franchises heading into training camp. But even if he finds a home, he's not expected to do much for fantasy managers in any format.
Free-agent running back David Johnson is visiting with the New Orleans Saints on Monday, according to sources. The Saints have a big need at running back, so adding Johnson would make a lot of sense. New Orleans has Alvin Kamara as their lead back and veteran Mark Ingram II backing him up, but behind them they have Tony Jones Jr., Dwayne Washington, Devine Ozigbo and rookie Abram Smith. Johnson would immediately provide more veteran depth next to Ingram. The 30-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Houston Texans, rushing for 919 yards and six touchdowns on 214 carries over 25 games (16 starts). He also had 65 receptions for 539 yards and three more touchdowns in the last two years.
Houston Texans running back David Johnson (quadriceps) was activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday and wasn't listed on the initial injury report for Week 18. As such, he should be available to play in the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans after missing the last two contests. Johnson himself hasn't been much of a fantasy asset all year in Houston's lackluster offense, as he's averaging 3.2 yards per carry and 16.7 rushing yards per game on 62 total carries in 12 games played. However, his return will put a dent in Rex Burkhead's overall upside. Burkhead has had 38 carries in the last two games for 196 yards (5.16 yards per carry) and two touchdowns, adding eight catches for 32 more yards. Burkhead will be more of a low-upside RB3/flex if he's sharing valuable touches with Johnson.
Houston Texans running back David Johnson and linebacker Neville Hewitt were placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, making their status for Week 17 against San Francisco uncertain. Johnson (quad) was unable to suit up this past week vs. the Chargers, paving the way for Rex Burkhead to enjoy a breakout performance. While Johnson's role as a rusher has increased as the season has gone on, he remains on the periphery of fantasy relevance in both DFS and season-long formats. In total, Johnson has amassed just 200 yards on the ground this year, a significant step back from the 691 yards and six scores that he picked up in 2020. Should Johnson remain out again vs. the 49ers, Burkhead would hold must-start appeal in many finals matchups.
Houston Texans running back David Johnson (quad) is not expected to play against the Chargers on Sunday afternoon, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. He had been listed as questionable. The 30-year-old has appeared in 12 games this season, totaling just 417 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. With Johnson sidelined, Rex Burkhead will serve as the lead back while Royce Freeman also gets involved.
Houston Texans running back David Johnson (quadriceps) missed practice all week but is listed as questionable to play on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16. Because of the fact that Johnson wasn't able to get in any work during the week, he's expected to be inactive on Sunday. The 30-year-old has been a disaster in fantasy in a terrible offense in 2021. He has seen double-digit carries only twice in 12 games and hasn't exceeded 39 rushing yards in a single game. Johnson's lone touchdown came in Week 1. Rex Burkhead and Royce Freeman figure to split the backfield work against the Bolts, with Burkhead being the preferred RB3/flex in deeper leagues. Although he has only one rushing TD on the year, Burkhead has been given double-digit carries in four of the last five games.
Houston Texans running back David Johnson (quadriceps) was listed as a non-practice participant for the second straight day on Thursday. Johnson will most likely need to get in at least a limited practice session on Friday to have a shot at suiting up for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Houston's best offensive weapon, receiver Brandin Cooks, is on the COVID-19 list, so the Texans might really be hurting for offensive personnel in Week 16 in a game in which they will likely get blown out. If Johnson cannot get cleared, Rex Burkhead would be in play as an RB3/flex for fantasy managers in deeper leagues chasing garbage points. Burkhead has seen double-digit carries in four of his last five games, although he'd likely share touches with Royce Freeman. If you're desperate enough to look to Houston's backfield, there's a good chance you're in your league's consolation bracket.
