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

Gets chance in Jacksonville Johnson agreed Wednesday with the Jaguars on a one-year contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Johnson is coming off a quiet 2022 campaign with the Browns, but he flashed in limited opportunities back in 2021, when he handled 100 carries for 534 yards and three scores. The 27-year-old could now get a chance to complete for with the likes of JaMycal Hasty and Snoop Conner for complementary work behind No. 1 running back Travis Etienne, making him an interesting end-of-roster flier in dynasty or best-ball formats.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Quietly heads to free agency Johnson played 10 snaps on special teams and did not play on offense in Sunday's 28-14 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 18.

Impact Johnson finished the year with just seven touches -- four rushes and three receptions -- and heads quietly into the offseason. It was a different tale last season, after Johnson capably filled in for injured backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, rushing 100 times for 534 yards and three touchdowns. There's very little mileage on Johnson, who turns 27 in February. The Browns are expected to go with Jerome Ford as the top backup to Chubb, and Johnson likely feels ready for a bigger role than he had in 2022. Both he and Kareem Hunt are in the final year of their deals and will entertain offers from other teams.

JANUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

No run on offense Johnson played 15 snaps on special teams and none on offense in Sunday's 27-14 win over Houston in Week 13.

Impact It's not surprising to see Johnson used on special teams only, but it was interesting that Jerome Ford got his first snaps and touches on offense. If an injury to Nick Chubb or Kareem Hunt should occur in the final weeks of the regular season, it's not a given that Johnson would get first crack at replacing either back in the rotation.

DECEMBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Used on special teams only Johnson did not play on offense during Sunday's 31-23 loss to Buffalo.

Impact Johnson's usage as a running back has decreased significantly, as both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt have stayed healthy. He popped for 534 yards (5.3 YPC) when given an opportunity in 2021, but those that speculated on him in 2022 have been disappointed.

NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Season-high snap count Johnson caught his lone target for minus-2 yards and did not carry the ball in Sunday's 39-17 loss to the Dolphins in Week 10.

Impact Johnson was on the field for a season-high 12 snaps, but there was little need for the running game once the Browns fell behind by three scores early in the third quarter.

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mops up win Johnson had four carries for 17 yards in Monday's 32-13 win over Cincinnati in Week 8.

Impact Johnson was given his first rushing attempts of the season, all on the game's final drive as Cleveland iced the blowout win. The Browns snapped a four-game losing streak and resuscitated their season with the victory, which may have the organization thinking about improvements for a playoff run. That means either Johnson or Kareem Hunt, both in the final year of their contracts, could be moved by Tuesday's 4:00 pm ET trade deadline. If either of those events happen, Johnson's fantasy outlook should improve.

NOVEMBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Could gain larger role soon Johnson's role with the Browns could change as rumors pick up about the team trading Kareem Hunt before next Tuesday's 4:00 pm trade dealine, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon J...

Impact The report doesn't get into specific trade partners interested in Hunt, but Cleveland is reportedly seeking a fourth-round draft pick as a starting point for discussions. Both Johnson and Hunt are on expiring contracts, making each of them a possible trade piece. Hunt's role has dwindled the last two weeks -- he has a total of 10 touches Weeks 6 and 7 after averaging more than 11 per game over the first five weeks. If the Browns trade Hunt, Johnson would move up to second on the depth chart. If Johnson is traded, the team trading for him presumably would have a bigger role waiting for him. Per usual, Johnson is listed as third at running back on the Browns' unofficial depth chart and as the primary kickoff returner for Monday night's game against the Bengals.

OCTOBER 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gathers two catches in loss Johnson caught two of two targets for nine yards in Sunday's 38-15 loss to the Patriots in Week 6.

Impact Johnson had his most significant contributions, but he remains a fringe player on offense. As long as Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are healthy, Johnson will play a limited role.

OCTOBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to special teams Johnson played 15 snaps on special teams in Week 5's 30-28 loss to the Chargers.

Impact The Browns have kept Johnson under wrap the first five games of the season, making him inactive the first three weeks followed by mostly special-teams work (one offensive snap) in Weeks 4 and 5. And that work on special teams is not as a returner, despite Jerome Ford (ankle) being added to injured reserve. Cleveland's backfile duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt have been dominant on offense, so Johnson has no clear path at this time. Either an injury to one of the top backs or a trade is Johnson's best hope.

OCTOBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gets one offensive snap Johnson played one snap on offense and 17 snaps on special teams in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Falcons.

Impact Johnson, who was inactive the first two weeks, saw his first action on offense in Week 4. He also helped replace the injured Jerome Ford (ankle) on kickoff returns. With Ford hitting injured reserve Tuesday, the Browns listed Johnson as Ford's replacement on the team's unofficial depth chart for Week 5 against the Chargers.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

No offensive snaps Johnson played 15 special-teams snaps and did not line up on offense in Thursday's 29-17 win over the Steelers in Week 3.

Impact Johnson was active for the first time this season, as Demetric Felton was given the night off. He has experience as a returner, but the Browns did not have him return punts or kicks, choosing to use Chester Rogers on punts and Jerome Ford or David Bell on kickoffs. It's possible the Browns don't want to expose Johnson to injury as a returner, so that he could be used as a trade chip later in the season.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Suiting up Thursday Johnson is listed as active Thursday against the Steelers, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Impact For the first time this season, Johnson won't be a healthy scratch and instead will be available to the Browns offense. Still, reps will be tough to come by behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. In the seven games in which all three running backs were available last season, Johnson managed just seven touches for 38 yards from scrimmage on 28 offensive snaps.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive again Johnson was inactive Week 2 against the Jets.

Impact Johnson opens the season with two inactive designations in the first two games. Both Demetric Felton and Jerome Ford have been active ahead of Johnson, as each have roles in the return game. With Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt healthy, having Johnson active may be seen as a luxury, but it should be noted he also has return experience and could replace either Felton or Ford.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fumbles in preseason opener Johnson rushed for no gain on three attempts and lost a fumble in Friday's 24-13 preseason win over the Jaguars.

Impact Johnson got the start with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt sitting out the preseason opener, but the 26-year-old running back failed to capitalize on the opportunity. While Johnson played well when injuries cleared a starting role for him last season, his touches will likely be limited as long as Cleveland's top two backs are present and healthy, and this outing did little to bolster Johnson's case for more touches. He'll look to rebound against the Eagles on Aug. 21 in Cleveland's next preseason game.

AUGUST 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Will D'Ernest Johnson have a bigger role for the Browns? Key questions for 2022 D'Ernest Johnson returns for a fourth season with the Browns in 2022, but his role remains unclear.

JULY 14, 2022 • CLEVELAND.COM

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