Running back Duke Johnson announced his retirement from professional football on Sunday. Johnson was originally taken in the third round (77th overall) by the Cleveland Browns in the 2015 NFL draft out of Miami. He spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Browns before spending two years with the Houston Texans. Johnson played for the Miami Dolphins in 2021 and the Buffalo Bills in the final year of his career in 2022. The 30-year-old wraps up his career having recorded 2,265 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 532 carries, adding 311 catches on 405 targets for 2,870 yards and an additional 12 touchdowns in 97 games (21 starts) covering eight seasons. Johnson had a career-high 410 rushing yards on 83 attempts in his first year in Houston in 2019.
Buffalo Bills running back Duke Johnson has been elevated to the active roster ahead of Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com. The 29-year-old hasn't played since last season when he registered 312 rushing yards, 41 receiving yards, and three touchdowns over the final four weeks of the season with the Miami Dolphins. Johnson's elevation is likely an effort to protect Josh Allen (elbow) since he is a better pass protector than James Cook or Nyheim Hines. It remains to be seen whether the Bills carry four running backs or if Cook or Hines could be a healthy scratch.
The Buffalo Bills released veteran running back Duke Johnson on Tuesday, but he could end up back on their practice squad if he doesn't sign with another team, according to a source. This shouldn't come as a huge surprise, as Johnson was working behind Devin Singletary, Zack Moss and rookie James Cook during training camp and the preseason. The 28-year-old will now be looking to provide running back depth elsewhere. In just five games with the Miami Dolphins last year, Johnson carried the ball 71 times for 330 yards and three touchdowns, adding four catches for 41 additional yards.
Duke Johnson Sees Seven Touches In Preseason Finale
Buffalo Bills running back Duke Johnson carried the ball six times for 20 yards and caught one of his two targets for a two-yard gain in the 21-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Friday's preseason finale. It was Johnson's last chance to prove to the coaching staff that he belongs on the 53-man roster to open the regular season. There's a good chance he's cut (he could stick on the practice squad) with Devin Singletary, Zack Moss and rookie James Cook ahead of him on the depth chart. The final RB spot for Buffalo is likely to come down to Johnson and Taiwan Jones, a special teams ace. In five games for the Miami Dolphins in 2021, Johnson had 71 carries for 330 yards and three touchdowns, adding four catches for 41 yards.
Buffalo Bills running back Duke Johnson has found himself competing for a final roster spot. On Saturday, Johnson put together a strong performance to help himself stay in the conversation. The veteran back rushed nine times for 55 yards and two touchdowns in the blowout win over the Denver Broncos. The Bills do have quite a few backs on the roster, so it could be tough for Johnson to carve out a role for himself. At this point, Johnson is likely competing with Zack Moss for the final running back spot on the roster. It's unlikely either back has weekly fantasy value with Devin Singletary and James Cook ahead of them on the depth chart. It appears the Bills too many backs for this pass-heavy offense. Possibly, Johnson finds a place better fit for his ability, assuming he doesn't make the team. Otherwise, it's unlikely he has weekly fantasy value in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills running back Duke Johnson's roster security likely depends on how Zack Moss plays this summer at training camp, but Johnson's experience and relative success in the NFL could help him stick if Moss falters. Johnson had two 100-yard games with the Miami Dolphins last year and offers more explosiveness in the receiving game than Moss. He'll also turn 29 in September, but Moss is still young and has two years left on his rookie deal. The odds are in favor of Moss, but Johnson has a chance if general manager Brandon Beane decides to trade Moss this summer. If Moss makes the team, Johnson will be expendable, but there could be a spot on the practice squad for Johnson.
Veteran free-agent running back Duke Johnson is signing an undisclosed one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills on Monday, according to his agents. The Bills thought they had pass-catching back J.D. McKissic in the fold earlier, but he changed his mind and returned to the Washington Commanders. Johnson will now move to Buffalo, which is more bad news for both Devin Singletary and Zack Moss. Johnson had 71 carries for 330 yards and three touchdowns while adding four catches for 41 yards in five games (four starts) for the Miami Dolphins last year. The 28-year-old is will be worth a late-round flier in PPR leagues as the change-of-pace back behind Singletary heading into the 2022 season.
Miami Dolphins running back Duke Johnson had 35 rushing attempts over his last two games coming into Week 17. That being said, Johnson was expected to continue having a significant role in the offense. However, that was exactly the case as he rushed seven times for 49 yards in the loss to the Tennessee Titans. Johnson also added two receptions for 16 yards through the air in this game. It was actually a decent performance from Johnson, but it's tough to have consistent value in a three-back committee. That being said, Johnson is only going to be a desperation deep league option for the Week 18 matchup against the New England Patriots.
Duke Johnson - Week 17 Outlook for Fantasy Football
Miami Dolphins running back Duke Johnson has been significantly involved in the rushing attack lately. In fact, Johnson has 35 rushing attempts over his last two games. Although, he struggled to do much damage on the ground last week. That could happen again versus the Tennessee Titans in Week 17. A defense that has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Johnson is stuck in a three-back committee, which limits his value. He shouldn't be considered anything more than a desperation option in deep leagues.
Miami Dolphins running back Duke Johnson was coming off a career game last week and failed to carry that momentum into this week. He rushed 13 times for 39 yards in the Week 16 victory over the New Orleans Saints. The Dolphins decided to use a three-back committee, so there wasn't a ton of value for any of them. Fantasy managers should consider Johnson's 107-yard performance a fluke. He's unlikely to do that again while the Dolphins are healthy at running back. He'll be a desperation deep league option against the Tennessee Titans next week.
