Tag: David Johnson

Oct 24, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Houston Texans running back David Johnson (31) is tackled by the Arizona Cardinals defense at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Former All-Pro RB David Johnson announces retirement

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Running back David Johnson, who was named an All-Pro and Pro Bowler following a standout 2016 season, announced his retirement from the NFL Sunday.

On his Instagram page, Johnson said in part, “I’m looking forward to my next career path in life. I don’t know exactly what that will be, but I hope it will bring me the same passion, excitement, and love as football did!”

Johnson, 32, was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He ran for 581 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie before his encore performance resulted in a breakout season in 2016.

Johnson led the NFL with 2,118 yards from scrimmage that fall — 1,239 rushing yards, 80 receptions for 879 receiving yards and 20 total touchdowns — and was named first-team All-Pro and nominated to the 2016 Pro Bowl.

Injuries limited him to a single game in 2017 before he rebounded with 1,386 scrimmage yards in 2018. But he only exceeded 1,000 yards once more in his career, during his first season with the Houston Texans in 2020.

He last played for the New Orleans Saints in 2022, appearing in five games.

Over his eight-year career, Johnson rushed for 4,071 yards and 39 touchdowns, adding 277 receptions for 2,805 yards and 18 touchdown catches.

He ranks 10th in career rushing yardage with the Cardinals (3,128 yards) and is tied for third in rushing touchdowns (33).

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Houston Texans running back David Johnson (31) runs as Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry (58) gives chase during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Saints add RB David Johnson to practice squad

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New Orleans Saints are signing veteran running back David Johnson, a former All-Pro, to their practice squad, ESPN reported Wednesday.

A free agent, Johnson tried out with New Orleans before the season opened but couldn’t come to contract terms.

Johnson, who turns 31 next month, was a third-round draft pick of the Cardinals in 2015. He spent his first five NFL seasons in Arizona and was part of the March 2020 trade with the Texans that sent him to Houston and receiver DeAndre Hopkins west.

He could be moved to the active roster in time for Sunday’s game when the Saints (3-7) host the Los Angeles Rams (3-6). He would back up Alvin Kamara as Mark Ingram II continues his recovery from a knee injury.

Last season with the Texans, Johnson appeared in 13 games (four starts) and gained 453 yards from scrimmage with one touchdown.

His best NFL season came in 2016, when he led the NFL with 2,118 total yards from scrimmage and scored 20 touchdowns.

For his career, Johnson has 4,047 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns. He’s added 2,758 receiving yards and 18 scores.

–Field Level Media

Houston Texans running back David Johnson (31) takes a hit from Tennessee Titans linebacker Dylan Cole (53) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. Titans Texans 112121 Aan 012

Report: Veteran RB David Johnson visits Saints

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Free agent running back David Johnson visited the New Orleans Saints on Monday, multiple outlets reported.

Johnson, 30, spent the past two seasons with the Houston Texans after five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.

He played in 13 games (four starts) in 2021, rushing for 228 yards and adding 32 catches for 225 yards and a score.

Johnson has rushed for 4,047 yards and 39 touchdowns and has 2,758 receiving yards and 18 TDs in 87 games (63 starts) since Arizona drafted him in the third round in 2015.

The Saints have a need in the backfield, where starter Alvin Kamara’s primary backups are 32-year-old Mark Ingram II and undrafted third-year back Tony Jones Jr.

–Field Level Media

Dec 19, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans running back David Johnson (31) runs past Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris (95) during the first half at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Texans place RB David Johnson, LB Neville Hewitt on COVID list

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The Houston Texans placed running back David Johnson and linebacker Neville Hewitt on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.

Both players are in their seventh NFL seasons.

Johnson, who has played in 12 games (four starts) this season, has rushed for 200 yards on 62 carries and has 217 receiving yards on 29 catches. Hewitt (15 games, four starts) has 50 tackles.

The Texans (4-11) are coming off a 41-29 upset of the Los Angeles Chargers. Houston’s next game is Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

In another move Monday, the Texans placed rookie fullback Paul Quessenberry on the practice squad/COVID-19 list.

–Field Level Media

Houston Texans running back David Johnson (31) runs the ball under pressure from Tennessee Titans linebacker Dylan Cole (53) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn. Titans Texans 2382

Texans place RB David Johnson on COVID-19 list

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Houston Texans placed running back David Johnson on the reserve/COVID-19 list Sunday morning, just a few hours before their home game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Johnson, who turns 30 on Thursday, is the second-leading rusher on a team with an anemic ground game. In 11 games, he has gained just 176 yards on 56 carries, trailing the departed Mark Ingram II, who gained 294 yards in seven games.

The Texans traded Ingram to the New Orleans Saints in October.

As a team, the Texans (2-10) have rushed for just 945 yards on the season — fewer than the Indianapolis Colts’ Jonathan Taylor (1,348 yards) as well as Joe Mixon of the Cincinnati Bengals and Dalvin Cook of the Minnesota Vikings (978 yards each) have gained on their own.

Rookie Davis Mills will start at quarterback against the Seahawks (4-8). Coach David Culley said Mills will start over veteran Tyrod Taylor the rest of the season.

–Field Level Media

Jan 3, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back David Johnson (31) runs with the ball as Tennessee Titans linebacker David Long (51) attempts to make a tackle during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Texans keep RB David Johnson on restructured deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Houston Texans and David Johnson have agreed on a restructured one-year deal that allows the team to keep the running back for 2021, ESPN and NFL Network reported Tuesday.

Johnson agreed to a paycut. He now gets a guaranteed $4.25 million and could earn up to $6 million with incentives, per the reports. He was set to make $7.95 million in 2021.

Johnson rushed for 691 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games (all starts) for Houston last season after the Texans infamously traded away star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins for him in March 2020. Johnson also caught 33 passes for 314 yards and two TDs.

Johnson missed three games with a concussion and one while on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Johnson was All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection in 2016 with the Cardinals when he had 2,118 yards from scrimmage and 20 total touchdowns.

The Texans released running back Duke Johnson last week.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back David Johnson (31) runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Texans activate RB Johnson, lose two starters on D

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Houston Texans activated running back David Johnson from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday.

He landed on the list last Friday and missed Sunday’s 36-7 loss at Chicago.

Johnson, who also missed three games in November due to a concussion, leads the Texans with 452 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He also has 16 catches for 161 yards and one score in nine games.

Houston (4-9) also placed two defensive starters on season-ending injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s game at Indianapolis (9-4).

Defensive tackle Brandon Dunn (pelvic fracture) and safety Justin Reid (torn thumb ligament) had both started all 13 games before getting hurt in the loss to the Bears.

Dunn, 28, contributed 26 tackles, three quarterback hits and one fumble recovery this season.

Reid, 23, had surgery on Tuesday. The 2018 third-round pick had 83 tackles, four passes defensed and two sacks.

–Field Level Media

Dec 6, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back David Johnson (31) celebrates with running back Duke Johnson (25) after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Texans RB David Johnson placed on COVID list

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Running back David Johnson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Houston Texans on Friday.

Johnson will not travel with the team to Chicago, but Houston expects Duke Johnson — who missed practice Thursday due to illness — to be ready after he was able to participate in Friday’s workout.

David Johnson was listed as out Thursday for “non-injury reasons” and the Texans updated his status Friday afternoon. Head coach Romeo Crennel hinted David Johnson would miss the trip due to “personal reasons.”

Healed from a concussion, David Johnson returned from injured reserve last week to play against the Indianapolis Colts. He leads the team in rushing with 113 carries for 452 yards and four touchdowns.

Duke Johnson has 69 carries for 209 yards and one touchdown this season.

Also, tight end Pharaoh Brown will miss the game after suffering a concussion against the Colts. He has seven receptions for 75 yards in 10 games.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back David Johnson (31) reacts after fumbling the ball against the Minnesota Vikings on a play during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Texans activate RB David Johnson (concussion) from IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Houston Texans activated running back David Johnson from injured reserve, the team announced Saturday.

Johnson has been sidelined since sustaining a concussion following a hit from linebacker Myles Jack in the Texans’ 27-25 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 8.

In eight games this season, Johnson leads the Texans in carries (103), rushing yards (408) and rushing touchdowns (three).

Johnson, 28, also has caught 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown.

Running back Duke Johnson has rushed for 106 yards on 33 carries in his absence. He also has six receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown in that span.

Houston also activated linebacker Kyle Emanuel from injured reserve on Saturday. Emanuel, 29, has three tackles in three games this season with the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders.

Also on Saturday, Houston elevated wide receivers Chad Hansen and Steven Mitchell Jr. from the practice squad to the active roster and placed fullback Cullen Gillaspia on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back David Johnson (31) runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Texans place RB David Johnson (concussion) on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Houston Texans placed leading rusher David Johnson on injured reserve as he continues to recover from a concussion sustained last weekend in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The injury occurred when he was hit on a third-and-3 play with 9:58 left in the first quarter. A pass from Deshaun Watson intended for Johnson fell incomplete and he was slow to get to his feet.

In eight games this season, Johnson leads the Texans with 408 yards rushing, and he’s added three scores. Watson is second in rushing with 197 yards.

Johnson, 28, also has caught 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown.

Duke Johnson is expected to start at running back when the Texans (2-6) meet the Browns (5-3) in Cleveland.

In other transactions, the Texans moved inside linebacker Dylan Cole, who has a back injury, to injured reserve and signed running back C.J. Prosise from the practice squad to the active roster.

They also activated safety A.J. Moore Jr. from reserve/injured and elevated linebacker Nate Hall (COVID-19 replacement), defensive tackle Corey Liuget and offensive lineman Greg Mancz from the practice squad.

Players on injured reserve must sit out at least three weeks.

–Field Level Media