D'Ernest Johnson - Page 3 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Role could expand sans Etienne Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson suggested that Johnson is in line to take on a greater role out of the backfield for Sunday's game against the Patriots in London Travis Etienne (h...

Impact With Etienne set to miss his first game of the season, the Jaguars will keep Johnson, Bigsby and practice-squad call-up Jake Funk active as their three running backs for Week 7. After Etienne exited the Jaguars' Week 6 loss to the Bears after playing just 11 snaps, Johnson (34 snaps) finished with far more playing time than Bigsby (16 snaps), but a negative game script and Johnson's standing as Jacksonville's preferred option on passing downs was likely a significant factor. Though Johnson should still rank as the clear choice ahead of Bigsby on third downs and obvious passing situations, expect Bigsby to serve as the Jaguars' lead runner in Etienne's absence this week. Bigsby is averaging an impressive 7.2 yards per carry on 41 totes this season, though Johnson has been competent in his opportunities on the ground as well (16 carries for 67 yards). Johnson's fantasy utility for Week 7 will likely be mostly limited to deeper PPR leagues.

OCTOBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Team-high yardage total in loss Johnson rushed six times for 28 yards and brought in both targets for 16 yards in the Jaguars' 35-16 loss to the Bears on Sunday in London.

Impact With Travis Etienne exiting the game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury, Johnson and Tank Bigsby helmed the ground game for the bulk of the second half. Johnson finished with a team-high rushing yardage total despite logging one fewer carry than Bigsby, and the former was also the only one of the two to be targeted in the passing game. The Jaguars are back in action next Sunday in London against the Patriots, and given the uncertain nature of soft-tissue injuries, it's certainly possible Johnson and Bigsby could be sharing backfield duties once more versus New England.

OCTOBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Three touches Week 5 Johnson rushed once for one yard and caught two of three targets for nine yards during Sunday's 37-34 win against the Colts.

Impact Jacksonville split playing time in the backfield fairly evenly, as Johnson played 13 offensive snaps compared to 23 for Tank Bigsby and 22 for Travis Etienne. Bigsby has taken hold of a larger role as the season has progressed, with he and Etienne now appearing to be in a timeshare. Johnson remains locked in as the No. 3 tailback and likely won't have a significant role if the other two can stay healthy.

OCTOBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Non-factor in loss Johnson rushed two times for zero yards in Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Texans.

Impact Johnson played 12 of the Jaguars 58 offensive snaps in the contest, behind both Travis Etienne (30) and Tank Bigsby (17). With such limited playing time and touches, the 28-year-old does not hold much fantasy value as the Jaguars third-string running back. Johnson and the Jaguars will square off against the Colts in Week 5.

OCTOBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Two carries in Week 3 Johnson rushed twice for 12 yards in Monday's 47-10 loss to the Bills.

Impact Johnson played 12 of the Jaguars 71 offensive snaps in the contest, behind Travis Etienne (49) and ahead of Tank Bigsby (9). Like the entire Jaguars offense, the veteran running back was unable to produce much with his opportunities. Johnson should remain far off the fantasy radar barring injuries going forward. The Jaguars will visit the Texans in Week 4.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

More involved Week 2 Johnson carried five times for 26 yards during Sunday's 18-13 loss to the Browns.

Impact The 28-year-old didn't play a snap during the season opener, but he operated as Jacksonville's No. 2 tailback during Sunday's contest. Tank Bigsby filled that role Week 1 but suffered a shoulder injury against Cleveland, though he was able to return to the contest. Johnson was the only Jacksonville tailback besides starter Travis Etienne to play any offensive snaps, and it's unclear how much of a role Bigsby's injury played in the backfield hierarchy. Johnson's playing time and production against the Browns should be the expectation if he retains the No. 2 job, so there's limited fantasy appeal while Etienne remains healthy.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No snaps Week 1 Johnson was active but didn't play any snaps during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Dolphins.

Impact The 28-year-old saw the field in all 17 games last season, but he was limited to bench duty in the 2024 season opener as No. 2 tailback Tank Bigsby played 32 percent of the offensive snaps. Johnson isn't likely see much playing time while Bigsby and starter Travis Etienne remain healthy.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No snaps Week 1 Johnson was active but didn't play any snaps during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Dolphins.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Minor role in Saturday's exhibition Johnson carried three times for 12 yards and caught his lone target for nine yards during Saturday's preseason game against the Buccaneers.

Impact The 28-year-old re-signed with Jacksonville on a one-year deal in the spring and has eight carries for 43 yards and two receptions for 32 yards through two preseason games. Starter Travis Etienne sat out Saturday's contest, and Tank Bigsby instead started the game and appears to be the favorite for the backup job. Johnson totaled 41 carries for 108 yards and 10 receptions for 140 yards last season, and he's unlikely to be more involved in 2024, if he even makes the season-opening roster.

AUGUST 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Minimal role Week 16 Johnson rushed once for two yards during Sunday's 30-12 loss to the Buccaneers.

Impact Jacksonville fell behind early and rushed the ball 13 times in the blowout defeat, with just seven of those carries going to running backs. Johnson has a solid grip on the No. 2 tailback job but isn't likely to be major factor in the offense down the stretch with starter Travis Etienne healthy.

DECEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Limited at practice Johnson (knee) was a limited participant at the Jaguars' practice Wednesday, Mia O'Brien of 1010 XL 92.5 FM Jacksonville reports.

Impact Johnson was able to play through his knee injury in Week 14 versus the Browns, so his ability to practice in any capacity Wednesday seems to suggest that he didn't suffer an setbacks. He'll look to increase his workload at one of the team's two remaining sessions ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Ravens.

DECEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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, 2023 • 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, 2023 • 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

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