Johnson announced he is retiring from football Sunday.
Johnson will call it a career after playing eight seasons in the NFL, though he last played during the 2022 campaign, when he appeared in five games for the Saints. The 2015 third-round pick burst onto the scene during his second season with Arizona, as he led the league with 2,118 yards from scrimmage and 20 total touchdowns across 373 touches. The one-time All-Pro's career was quickly sidetracked when he suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Week 1 of 2017. He ultimately spent five seasons with the Cardinals before being included in the trade that brought wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona from Houston. Johnson went on to play two relatively lackluster seasons with the Texans before tacking onto the Saints' practice squad in 2022. He finishes with 4,071 rushing yards, 2,805 receiving yards and 57 total touchdowns across 92 career games.
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Saints' David Johnson: Has 28 receiving yards in finale
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Johnson had zero carries and gathered in both of his targets for 28 yards during Sunday's 10-7 loss to the Panthers.
Johnson's modest numbers represented a season high in scrimmage yards as the Saints' offense posted yet another unremarkable outing. He also played just one more offensive snap than fellow backup running back Eno Benjamin (six). Over five games with New Orleans in 2022, Johnson recorded 12 carries for 24 yards and four receptions on four targets for 47 yards. These are by far the lowest marks of the 31-year-old's career outside of the 2017 season in which he suffered a season-ending wrist injury Week 1. Johnson joined the New Orleans practice squad in mid-November, and he was eventually signed to the active roster after Mark Ingram sustained a season-ending MCL tear in early December. With both of these aging veterans set to hit free agency, it's unlikely that either of them will factor into the Saints' future at running back.
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Saints' David Johnson: Usage uptick in frigid win
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Johnson posted seven rushes for 16 yards and caught his only target for eight yards during Saturday's 17-10 win versus Cleveland.
Johnson's workload bumped up in the Saints' ground-and-pound offensive game plan Week 16. He also caught a pass over the middle on third down to keep New Orleans' second drive of the game going. However, the No. 2 running back still finished third in rushing attempts, as versatile quarterback Taysom Hill (nine snaps) and Alvin Kamara (20 snaps) led the team's option rushing attack. With third-string running back Eno Benjamin exclusively filling in on special teams during the absence of Dwayne Washington (illness), fullback Adam Prentice was the only other New Orleans back to record any carries with two. Johnson should continue to see the bulk of the limited carries at running back behind Kamara in Week 17 versus Philadelphia.
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Saints' David Johnson: Coughs up fumble in win
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Johnson tallied four carries for 12 yards and lost a fumble during Sunday's 21-18 win over the Falcons.
Johnson got off to a solid start in his first outing as the Saints' new No. 2 running back, logging four carries through the midpoint of the second quarter, but he committed the team's lone turnover when he fumbled in the red zone before halftime. While Johnson did not see a carry for the remainder of the contest, he was still the only running back to log any offensive snaps (18) other than starter Alvin Kamara (34), as Eno Benjamin (coach's decision) and Dwayne Washington (illness) were both inactive. Johnson's usage prior to the turnover is an encouraging sign, but it's possible the mistake could cost him snaps when Benjamin and/or Washington are active.
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Saints' David Johnson: Serving as No. 2 back Sunday
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Johnson is slated to serve as the top backup to starting running back Alvin Kamara in Sunday's game against the Falcons, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
With Eno Benjamin (coach's decision) and Dwayne Washington (illness) inactive for the contest and with Mark Ingram (knee) on injured reserve, the Saints won't have any true running backs available this week beyond Kamara and Johnson. Even though Johnson is seemingly well positioned to fill Ingram's change-of-pace role behind Kamara, that doesn't necessarily mean that Johnson will enter the backfield whenever Kamara leaves the field. The Saints will have a fullback (Adam Prentice) active for the game that they can turn to in pass protection, and jack-of-all-trades tight end/quarterback Taysom Hill is also likely to get a few carries behind Kamara.
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Saints' David Johnson: Moves back to practice squad
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Johnson reverted to the Saints' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Johnson was elevated at the first possible opportunity after signing with New Orleans' practice squad Wednesday, hauling in his lone target for 11 yards and rushing once for a four-yard loss Week 11. The veteran running back also played 10 of the team's 57 offensive snaps, slotting in behind Alvin Kamara (40) and ahead of special teamer Dwayne Washington (six). Johnson should stand to see similar usage if No. 2 running back Mark Ingram (knee) remains out Week 12 against San Francisco.
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Saints' David Johnson: Two touches in NOLA debut
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Johnson notched one carry for minus-4 yards and gathered in his only target for 11 yards during Sunday's 27-20 victory against the Rams.
Johnson saw a minimal role while playing 10 offensive snaps in his first game with the Saints. The 30-year-old served as the team's No. 2 running back with Mark Ingram (knee) sidelined for the third straight game, as Dwayne Washington once again primarily played on special teams. However, Johnson still played an extremely limited role behind Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill, who combined for 21 carries against the Rams. Expect Johnson to be elevated from the practice squad again if Ingram remains out Week 12 against the 49ers.
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Saints' David Johnson: Moved up from practice squad
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Johnson was elevated to the Saints' active roster Saturday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
The last time fantasy managers saw Johnson, the veteran was toiling away in the 2021 Texans backfield averaging a miniscule 3.4 yards per carry across 67 totes. The 30-year-old didn't draw much interest throughout the offseason, but he has a chance to receive a few carries with usual backup Mark Ingram (knee) out for Sunday's game.
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David Johnson: Lands with Saints' practice squad
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The Saints signed Johnson to their practice squad Wednesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Johnson had previously met with the Saints in the offseason for an extended tryout, only to come away from the meeting without a contract. He's been on the open market ever since, but he'll finally end up in New Orleans following his most recent visit with the team. Though Johnson will initially be part of the practice squad, he could be a candidate to get elevated to the roster in advance of this Sunday's game against the Rams. The Saints are uncertain to have top backup Mark Ingram (knee) available as a depth option behind starter Alvin Kamara, and Johnson may represent a better alternative for the No. 2 role than Dwayne Washington, who is on the roster mainly for his contributions on special teams. Johnson spent the 2021 season in Houston, where he averaged a career-low 3.4 yards on 67 carries to go with 32 receptions for 225 yards over 13 games.
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David Johnson: Not signing with New Orleans
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The Saints and Johnson were unable to come to contract terms, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Though it's possible that the veteran running back, who visited with the team, could catch on with New Orleans down the road, the 30-year-old remains an option for other squads looking for experienced backfield depth. In 13 games with the Texans last season, Johnson carried 67 times for 228 yards, while adding 32 catches on 42 targets for 225 yards and a touchdown.
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Texans' David Johnson: Eight touches in season finale
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Johnson had five carries for 28 yards and caught three of four targets for eight yards in Sunday's 28-25 loss to Tennessee.
Johnson had missed four of the previous five games due to a quad injury and stints on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He played 17 snaps, well behind Rex Burkhead, who emerged as the team's top back over the second half of the season. When healthy, Johnson was the team's third-down back, and he finished with 32 catches on 42 targets for 225 yards and a touchdown. As a runner, he carried 67 times for 228 yards without a touchdown. He will enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, and it's uncertain, probably unlikely, that the Texans bring him back. The backfield needs a serious upgrade -- Houston finished 32nd in rushing in 2021 after ranking 31st the previous year, but that's just one issue facing the Texans, who need to make a decision on the future of head coach David Culley and navigate the trade of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Johnson may represent unwanted memories of the previous regime under Bill O'Brien, so look for him to ply his trade for another team in 2022.
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Texans' David Johnson: Off COVID list
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Houston activated Johnson (illness) off the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.
Johnson was previously dealing with a quadriceps issue before landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list Dec. 27, but he wasn't listed on Wednesday's estimated practice report with an injury. As a result, Johnson is on track to play in Sunday's season finale against the Titans, but he may have to play second fiddle to Rex Burkhead, who has averaged 5.2 yards per carry on 38 totes over the past two weeks. Royce Freeman is also on the roster as a depth option.
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Texans' David Johnson: Remains on COVID list
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Johnson (quad) remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers.
Until Johnson, who had previously been dealing with a quad issue, clears the NFL's COVID protocols, Rex Burkhead is in line to continue to head the Texans' rushing attack, with Royce Freeman also in the mix to log complementary touches out of the team's backfield and Jaylen Samuels available in reserve.
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Texans' David Johnson: Added to COVID-19 list
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The Texans placed Johnson (quadriceps) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.
According to Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle, Johnson landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of the Texans' Week 14 loss to the Seahawks, but he quickly was cleared to return to the roster after his initial test result was deemed a false positive. Johnson appears to have a true positive test this time around, which could make it a challenge for him to gain clearance ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers. Johnson already sat out the Texans' Week 16 win over the Chargers due to a quad injury, allowing Rex Burkhead (22 carries for 149 yards and two touchdowns, two catches for zero yards) to seize hold of a lead role out of the backfield. Burkhead's big game likely leaves him as the Texans' preferred option heading into Week 17, regardless of if Johnson ultimately is cleared to play or not.
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Texans' David Johnson: Sidelined for Week 16
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Johnson (quadriceps) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Despite not practicing all week due to the quad issue, Johnson was listed as questionable heading into Sunday, though the Texans never had much optimism he would suit up. With Johnson out of the mix, Houston is left with Rex Burkhead, Royce Freeman and Jaylen Samuels as its options out of the backfield. Burkhead is the leading candidate to pace the Houston backs in touches and snaps.
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Texans' David Johnson: Iffy for Week 16
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Johnson (quad) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers after not practicing this week, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
Per Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston, despite the official 'questionable' designation, Johnson isn't expected to play in Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET contest. If that's the case, Rex Burkhead and Royce Freeman would be in line to head the Texans' Week 16 backfield.
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Texans' David Johnson: Misses another practice
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Johnson (quad) remained sidelined at practice Thursday.
Back-to-back listed absences Wednesday and Thursday set the stage for what Johnson is able to do Friday to be pivotal with regard to his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Chargers. If he's out or limited this weekend, added Week 16 opportunities would be available for Rex Burkhead and Royce Freeman.
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Texans' David Johnson: Dealing with quad issue
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Johnson was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's walk-through practice due to a quadriceps injury.
Head coach David Culley relayed earlier Wednesday that Johnson picked up the injury during the Texans' Week 15 win over the Jaguars. Johnson now has two more chances to get on the practice field prior to Sunday's game against the Chargers, but even if he gets the green light to play, he could be part of a timeshare out of the backfield with Rex Burkhead.
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Texans' David Johnson: Logs seven touches in win
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Johnson had six carries for 24 yards and caught his lone target for three yards in Sunday's 30-16 win over Jacksonville.
Johnson returned to the field after missing one game while on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He played just 12 snaps, second amongst running backs behind Rex Burkhead's 38. The Texans don't have a developmental RB to groom, so veterans like Johnson and Burkhead should play out the season. If Scottie Phillips (ankle) gets healthy enough, he could steal snaps and touches from either one.
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Texans' David Johnson: Could be joined by Burkhead
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Johnson could have some unexpected competition in the backfield with Rex Burkhead (hip) listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Brooks Kubena of The Houston Chronicle reports.
Head coach David Culley apparently got ahead of himself earlier this week when he said Burkhead wouldn't play. The veteran back is now listed as questionable, potentially setting up a three-way committee between him, Johnson and Royce Freeman. There's also still a decent chance Burkhead sits out, in which case Johnson would retain his fantasy appeal for Week 15. It becomes far less appealing with Burkhead involved, even in the favorable matchup.
