D'Ernest Johnson - Page 4 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Tests positive for virus Cleveland placed Johnson on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday after he tested positive for the virus, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact According to Jake Trotter of ESPN.com, Johnson is vaccinated, so he'll be eligible to come off the list as soon as he's deemed asymptomatic or is able to turn in consecutive negative test results at least 24 hours apart. He should have a shot at being reinstated to the roster prior to Sunday's game against the Bengals, though he'll almost certainly miss practice time while following the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocol. Even if he gets cleared to suit up in the season finale, Johnson could be in store for a small role out of the backfield if both Nick Chubb (ribs) and Kareem Hunt (ankle) are able to play through their respective injuries.

JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

More snaps than Chubb Johnson carried five times for 13 yards and caught one of three targets for one yard in Monday's 26-14 loss to the Steelers. He also returned five kickoffs for 113 yards.

Impact Johnson was on the field for 39 snaps, nine more than starter Nick Chubb, who was apparently banged up earlier in the contest according to head coach Kevin Stefanski, per a report from Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Chubb managed to stay in the game, but Stefanski shied away from the running attack, and quarterback Baker Mayfield paid for it in the form of nine sacks and 11 quarterback hits. If Chubb is unavailable next week or the Browns choose to rest him, Johnson will be in line for a larger load Week 18 against the Bengals.

JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Given five touches in loss Johnson had four carries for 58 yards and caught one of two targets for eight yards in Week 16's 24-22 loss to the Packers on Saturday.

Impact Johnson's day included a huge 3rd-and-10 conversion on which he rushed 30 yards to the Green Bay five-yard line and set up the Browns' final score. He served as Nick Chubb's backup for the third consecutive game with Kareem Hunt sidelined by an ankle injury and placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Johnson's seen exactly five touches in all three games, and he has emerged as a competent backup with starter potential in his third NFL season. He'll never usurp the primary role from Chubb, but Johnson is averaging 5.5 yards per carry during his career and hasn't taken the number of hits that other running backs have absorbed over 47 career games.

DECEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Five touches behind Chubb Johnson rushed once for minus-2 yards and caught all four of his targets for 17 yards in Monday's 16-14 loss to the Raiders.

Impact Johnson was a non-factor on the ground behind workhorse Nick Chubb, who mustered 91 yards and a touchdown on 23 rushing attempts. He played a scaled-down version of the third-down back role normally occupied by the inactive Kareem Hunt, who's currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list while also dealing with an ankle injury, and Johnson actually tied Donovan Peoples-Jones for the team lead in catches. Given his role in this one, Johnson will be tough to trust in Week 16 against the Packers, even if Hunt's not ready to return.

DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Browns-Raiders moved to Monday Johnson and the Browns will no longer play the Raiders on Saturday, after the NFL officially rescheduled the matchup between the two teams for Monday at 5 p.m. ET.

Impact Due to ongoing COVID-19-related issues within the Cleveland organization, the NFL is hopeful that by delaying the game two days, the Browns will restore enough players from the reserve/COVID-19 list to alleviate depth concerns on the roster. Since Kareem Hunt isn't in line to play Week 15 after failing to practice this week due to an ankle injury before being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Johnson has a clear path to the No. 2 role out of the backfield behind starter Nick Chubb.

DECEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

No. 2 backfield role awaits Johnson is expected to serve as the top backup to starting running back Nick Chubb with Kareem Hunt (ankle) ruled out for Saturday's game against the Raiders, Mary Kay Cabot of The...

Impact Johnson had moved down to the third spot on the depth chart for the Browns' past two games following Hunt's return from injured reserve, but the former should have a clear path to the No. 2 role after the latter picked up another injury in Cleveland's Week 14 win over Baltimore. Chubb is still likely to see the majority of the snaps and touches out of the backfield, but Johnson and Hunt still managed to earn six carries and three receptions between them last week. A touch count in the high single digits or low double digits could be enough to keep Johnson on the radar in deeper PPR leagues this week.

DECEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Fills in for injured Hill Johnson had four carries for 22 yards and caught his lone target for seven yards in Sunday's 24-22 win over the Ravens.

Impact Johnson did not play on offense when the Browns and Ravens hooked up in Week 12 due to the availability of both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt; however, Hunt sustained an ankle injury Sunday and was limited to 13 snaps. More will be known about Hunt's status heading into Week 15's road game against Las Vegas after the back undergoes testing Monday. If Hunt's unable to go, Johnson will slot in as the backup to Chubb.

DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

No touches in loss Johnson played six offensive snaps and did not receive a touch or target in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Ravens.

Impact This was the first game in five weeks in which the Browns had both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt (leg) available, which put a limit on Johnson's playing time. Hunt injured his leg late and was removed from the game, which could impact Johnson's role going forward; however, Cleveland is on its bye Week 13. The next game is Week 14, a return matchup at home against the Ravens.

NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to five carries Johnson recorded five carries for 26 yards in Sunday's 13-10 win over Detroit.

Impact Despite topping 150 total yards in Week 10, Johnson took a back seat in the game plan due to the return of Nick Chubb (illness). Johnson has now seen single-digit touches in every game that Chubb has been active. Johnson's role is likely to only diminish further once Kareem Hunt (calf) is able to return from injured reserve.

NOVEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to take back seat to Chubb Johnson is expected to move into the No. 2 role out of the Cleveland backfield Sunday against the Lions after Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Nick Chubb (illness)...

Impact After Chubb was placed on the list Nov. 9 following a positive test of the virus, Johnson stepped in to pick up his second start of the season Week 10 against New England. Though the Browns weren't competitive in a 45-7 loss, Johnson was productive with his opportunities, carrying 19 times for 99 yards and catching seven passes for 58 yards on eight targets. While Johnson has been a revelation in both of his starts, a healthy Chubb remains the Browns' unquestioned lead back, though Cleveland could be inclined to ease him back from a one-game absence with a slightly lighter workload than normal against an inferior Lions team. If that's the case, Johnson could still have some value this week as a low-end flex play in deeper leagues while Kareem Hunt (calf) remains on injured reserve.

NOVEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Browns look to rebound from blowout loss, host winless Lions

The Lions are desperate for their first win

NOVEMBER 18, 2021 • Associated Press

Mayfield, Browns trying to regroup after Patriots pummeling

Quarterback Baker Mayfield is banged up

NOVEMBER 15, 2021 • Associated Press

Plays well in spot start Johnson ran for 99 yards on 19 carries while catching seven passes for 58 yards on eight targets against New England on Sunday.

Impact The Browns weren't very threatening in the 45-7 loss and the point gap might have led New England to play less aggressively on defense, but this is still an impressive showing for the formerly undrafted Johnson, who has thrived in both of his spot starts this year. Johnson is expected to head back to the bench against the Lions in Week 11, but by now he's given convincing reason to believe he'll play well whenever he might get the opportunity next.

NOVEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

In line for leading role Sunday Johnson is expected to be the Browns' No. 1 running back Sunday at New England with Nick Chubb (illness), Demetric Felton (illness) and John Kelly (illness) all on the reserve/COVI...

Impact Coach Kevin Stefanski noted the trio of Chubb, Felton and Kelly will be unable to clear COVID-19 protocols in time to be available for Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, leaving Johnson as the sole healthy running back on the active roster. On top of that, Kareem Hunt (calf) isn't ready to return from injured reserve, so Johnson likely will have to contend with only elevated options from the practice squad such as Brian Hill and Dexter Williams. When Johnson served as Cleveland's lead runner Week 7, he churned out 168 yards from scrimmage and one TD on 24 touches.

NOVEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Browns star Chubb out against Pats, remains on COVID list

Browns star running back Nick Chubb will miss Sunday’s game at New England after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this week

NOVEMBER 12, 2021 • Associated Press

Patriots look to post 4th straight win when they host Browns

The Patriots and Browns both enter their matchup coming off big wins to get back above

NOVEMBER 11, 2021 • Associated Press

Browns still hoping to have star RB Chubb against Patriots

The Browns remain hopeful star running back Nick Chubb will be able to play this week despite testing positive for COVID-19

NOVEMBER 11, 2021 • Associated Press

Could get another start Johnson will make another start in the event teammate Nick Chubb (illness) isn't reinstated from the reserve/COVID-19 list before Sunday's game in New England, Scott Petrak of the...

Impact Johnson's previous start, Week 7 against Denver, yielded 22 carries for 146 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 22 yards on 69 percent snap share, while backups Demetric Felton and John Kelly combined for just four carries and three targets. A full repeat is a lot to ask in New England, but it is a safe guess that Johnson will have a busy afternoon if Chubb doesn't end up playing. In order to suit up, Chubb needs to return negative tests on back-to-back days, after initially testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday morning.

NOVEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Browns' Chubb still uncertain for Pats after positive test

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski would not disclose whether star running back Nick Chubb is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, leaving his status for Sunday’s game against New England...

NOVEMBER 10, 2021 • Associated Press

Chubb tests positive for COVID-19, could miss NE game

The Browns didn’t have much time to celebrate their biggest win this season before being hit with another off-field issue

NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • Associated Press

Touchdown streak snapped Johnson had eight carries for 16 yards in Sunday's 41-16 win over the Bengals.

Impact Nick Chubb had the bulk of the carries early before Johnson took over as Cleveland pulled away. It was the first time in three weeks that Johnson did not score a touchdown. He continues to fill the backup role while Kareem Hunt (calf) is sidelined on injured reserve. Hunt's three-week minimum stay on IR ended Sunday, but the Browns feel he'll need at least one more week before he's ready to play.

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Tomlin stays the course as Steelers' win streak hits 3

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has steadied his team following a 1-3 start

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • Associated Press

Finds end zone against Pittsburgh Johnson carried the ball four times for 22 yards and a touchdown and caught one of three targets for seven yards in Sunday's 15-10 loss to the Steelers.

Impact While Nick Chubb dominated the backfield touches in his return to action, Johnson was the only Brown to get into the end zone on a 10-yard dash in the third quarter. Kareem Hunt (calf) isn't expected to be back any time soon, so Johnson should continue to have a role for Cleveland in Week 9 against the Bengals.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Watch D'Ernest Johnson rush for a 10-yard touchdown vs. the Steelers Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson rushed for a 10-yard touchdown in the third quarter on Sunday vs. the Steelers.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • CLEVELAND.COM

Faces competition in backfield With Nick Chubb (calf) returning to practice Monday, as reported by Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, Johnson may not be the lead back Week 8 against the Steelers.

Impact Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski was hopeful last week that Chubb could return for the Pittsburgh game, and the coach sounded more confident Monday. "He's gotten a lot of work done this last couple weeks. He's feeling good. He's continuing to get rehab, and I think he's excited to get back out there. We'll see how it goes over the next couple days and see if he can," Stefanski said. To be clear, Ulrich reports Chubb's return to practice but did not speculate on the impact of a potential return would have on Johnson's playing time. Logically, if Chubb is ready to play, then Johnson's role will be diminished.

OCTOBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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