D'Ernest Johnson - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Signs contract with Patriots New England signed Johnson to the active roster Saturday.

Impact Johnson was initially elevated from the practice squad to the active roster Friday, but he'll get a spot on the 53-man roster after running back Terrell Jennings (concussion) was placed on injured reserve Saturday. Jennings will now be sidelined for at least the next four games, thus sidelining him for at least the remainder of the regular season. In his absence, Johnson will serve as the Patriots' No. 3 running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.

DECEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Joins active roster Johnson was elevated from the Patriots' practice squad to the active roster Friday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Impact With Terrell Jennings (concussion) set to miss the Week 15 divisional matchup against the Bills, Johnson's addition to the active roster provides New England with much-needed depth at running back. The 29-year-old has appeared in three games for the Patriots this season, rushing four times for seven yards. He's expected to play behind TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson on Sunday.

DECEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Back to practice squad Johnson reverted to the Patriots' practice squad Friday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact TreVeyon Henderson dominated the touches out of the backfield during the Patriots' 27-14 win over the Jets on Thursday. Terrell Jennings was active after working through a knee injury during the shortened week but didn't end up playing a snap, while Johnson logged eight snaps on offense and turned three carries into six yards. Johnson has been elevated from the practice squad by the Patriots three times this season, which is the max; however, the veteran running back could be signed to New England's active roster if Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) is expected to miss more time.

NOVEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated for TNF The Patriots elevated Johnson from their practice squad ahead of Thursday night's game against the Jets, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

Impact Per Lazar, this is Johnson's final elevation, so after Week 11 the running back would need to be signed to the Patriots' 53-man roster in order to suit up for game action. On Thursday, he'll provide the team with backfield depth behind TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings (knee), assuming he's active. Meanwhile, Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) is slated to miss his third straight contest.

NOVEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Reverts to practice squad Johnson reverted to the Patriots' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Johnson played six offensive snaps during Sunday's 28-23 win over the Buccaneers, one more than Terrell Jennings, the latter of whom left the game due to a knee injury. Johnson logged one carry for one yard in Week 10, and with Jennings, Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) and TreVeyon Henderson (knee) all listed as limited practice participants Monday, Johnson could be elevated to the Patriots' active roster for Thursday's AFC East tilt against the Jets.

NOVEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated for Week 10 The Patriots elevated Johnson from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Impact Johnson has been elevated to the Patriots' active roster for a second consecutive week. He will serve as the RB3 behind TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings and will also serve as a returner on kickoffs in Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, per Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site. Johnson played five snaps on special teams without showing up on the box score otherwise during the Patriots' Week 9 win over the Falcons.

NOVEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Patriots Elevate LB Darius Harris and RB D'Ernest Johnson to the Active Roster The Patriots announced that they have elevated LB Darius Harris and RB D’Ernest Johnson from the practice squad to the active roster.

NOVEMBER 8 • PATRIOTS.COM

Back to practice squad Johnson reverted to the Patriots' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Johnson joined the Patriots' practice squad Wednesday and was elevated for Week 9 against the Falcons to provide backfield depth in the absence of Rhamondre Stevenson (toe). However, Johnson saw the field for only five snaps on special teams as TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings served as the clear one-two punch out of the Patriots' backfield. Johnson could be elevated for the Patriots' Week 10 clash against the Buccaneers this Sunday if Stevenson is not cleared to play.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated for Week 9 Johnson was elevated from the Patriots' practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Impact With Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) ruled out for Sunday's contest with the Falcons, Johnson gets the elevation. He will likely share backup work with Terrell Jennings behind TreVeyon Henderson, who is slated to be the Patriots' lead back.

NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Roster Analysis: Patriots Elevate RB D'Ernest Johnson From the Practice Squad for Sunday's Game vs. the Falcons With lead-back Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) out, the Patriots bolster their depth by elevating the veteran running back from the practice squad...

NOVEMBER 1 • PATRIOTS.COM

Could be elevated for Week 9 With Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Johnson is a candidate to be elevated from the practice squad ahead of Week 9 action, according to M...

Impact For now, TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings are the only healthy running backs on New England's active roster, but Johnson, Jonathan Ward and Rushawn Baker are all candidates to be elevated from the team's practice squad Saturday. If Johnson ends up getting the call versus Atlanta, he'd be in line to share backup work with Jennings, with Henderson slated to be the Patriots' lead back this weekend.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

Joins Patriots' practice squad Johnson signed with the Patriots' practice squad Wednesday, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

Impact The South Florida product was cut from the Cardinals' practice squad Tuesday, but he's already found a new home in New England. He made on appearance for Arizona this season, rushing once for no yards across 14 offensive snaps. With Antonio Gibson (knee), Lan Larison (foot) and Deneric Prince (Tulsa) all currently on injured reserve, Johnson could be elevated to the Patriots' active roster and play a depth role in the backfield.

OCTOBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Jettisoned from practice squad The Cardinals cut Johnson from the practice squad Tuesday.

Impact Johnson had been elevated for Arizona's loss to the Packers in Week 7, a contest in which he logged one carry for zero yards while playing 14 snaps on offense. For Johnson to now be cut from the practice squad could be a sign that Emari Demercado (ankle) is on track to retake the field in time to face the Cowboys in Week 9.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Back to practice squad Johnson reverted to the Cardinals' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Johnson signed with the Cardinals' practice squad Sept. 29 and was elevated for the time in Week 7 against the Packers. He logged one carry for zero yards while playing 14 snaps on offense, which was third behind Bam Knight (34) and Michael Carter (28). With James Connor (foot) out for the year and Trey Benson (knee) on injured reserve, Johnson could be elevated for the Cardinals' Week 9 contest against the Cowboys on Monday, Nov. 3.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated to active roster The Cardinals elevated Johnson from the practice squad Saturday.

Impact Emari Demercado (ankle) will be sidelined for Sunday's game, so the Cardinals are in need of depth at running back. Johnson has a chance to be active for the first time this season for Sunday's game against the Packers, though he'd likely work behind Michael Carter and Bam Knight.

OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated to active roster The Cardinals elevated Johnson from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Arriving in Arizona Johnson signed with the Cardinals' practice squad Monday.

Impact Johnson failed to make the Ravens' initial 53-man roster in late August but has since found a new home with the Cardinals' practice squad. The South Florida product appeared in 14 games for the Jaguars in 2024, rushing 55 times for 143 yards and catching 12 of 19 targets for 96 yards. He could be elevated to Arizona's active roster at some point this season with James Conner (foot) done for the year.

SEPTEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Arriving in Arizona Johnson signed with the Cardinals' practice squad Monday.

SEPTEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Returning to Baltimore The Ravens signed Johnson to the practice squad Wednesday, Ryan Mink of the team's official site reports.

Impact Johnson joined the Ravens in early August with the aim of cracking to make the 53-man roster, but he failed to beat out Rasheen Ali for the RB4 spot. Johnson will return to the Ravens on the practice squad and is a candidate to be elevated to the active roster if Ali, Keaton Mitchell, Justice Hill or Derrick Henry were unable to play. Johnson logged 46 carries for 163 yards and two touchdowns while adding five catches (on eight targets) for 26 yards across the Ravens' three preseason games.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Shown door in Baltimore The Ravens released Johnson on Tuesday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Johnson carried a heavy workload during the preseason, rushing 46 times for 163 yards (3.5 YPC) and two touchdowns while also catching five passes for 26 yards. He was a longshot to make the 53-man roster due to Baltimore's solid running back room. Johnson should have utility on a practice squad. Last season, the 29-year-old posted 143 yards on 32 carries and 96 yards on 12 receptions through 14 games with the Jaguars.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Bound for Baltimore The Ravens signed Johnson on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Johnson has six years of NFL experience on his resume, with his best campaign coming in 2021 when he logged 534 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 100 carries during the regular season with Cleveland. He provided depth at RB for the Jaguars last year, recording 143 yards on 32 carries and 96 receiving yards on 12 catches over 14 contests. Johnson also has experience as a kick returner, which can only help his chances of making Baltimore's final roster. Johnson's signing was precipitated by the absence of Marcus Major, who is dealing with a concussion.

AUGUST 3 • ROTOWIRE

Small role in Week 18 Johnson carried two times for 26 yards and caught one of two targets for zero yards during the Jaguars' Week 18 loss to the Colts.

Impact The 28-year-old received his first carries since Week 11 but played just 12 offensive snaps in the season finale. Johnson finished the season with 32 carries for 143 yards and 12 receptions for 96 yards in 14 contests. He's set to hit free agency during the offseason, and there will likely be limited openings in Jacksonville since Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby and Keilan Robinson are all under contract for 2025.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy scratch again Week 15 Johnson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Jets.

Impact Johnson will be inactive for the third straight game since Jacksonville's Week 12 bye. He played in each of the Jaguars' first 11 contests of the campaign but has fallen behind Keilan Robinson on the depth chart since Robinson returned from IR in mid-November.

DECEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive again Week 14 Johnson (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Sunday's matchup versus Tennessee, John Oehser of the Jaguars' official site reports.

Impact Johnson will be inactive for the second straight week. Prior to Jacksonville's Week 12 bye, the South Florida product had suited up for each of the team's 11 contests and had gotten at least one touch in all but two of those games. However, Johnson appears to be out of the rotation with both Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby healthy and with rookie tailback Keilan Robinson having been activated off IR ahead of Week 13.

DECEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy scratch for Week 13 Johnson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Texans.

Impact Coming out of a Week 12 bye, the Jaguars are back to full strength in the backfield with Travis Etienne further removed from the hamstring injury that sidelined him for Weeks 7 and 8 and with Tank Bigsby back in action after missing the Week 11 loss to the Lions with an ankle injury. Rookie fifth-round pick Keilan Robinson is also ready to make his NFL debut after coming off injured reserve Nov. 19, and while he's unlikely to have much of a role on offense behind Etienne and Bigsby, his ability to contribute as a return man will be enough for the Jaguars to keep him active over Johnson as the No. 3 back. Johnson had already seen his role dwindle following Etienne's return to action in Week 9, as Johnson earned just four carries and one target while playing 28 total snaps on offense over the Jaguars' last three games before the bye.

DECEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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