Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals RB Chris Johnson cleared to return to practice next week

Published Jan. 6, 2016 5:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson has been medically cleared to return to practice next Tuesday.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday night, said Johnson has been running at the team's practice facility. Johnson has been sidelined since suffering a fractured tibia in a 19-13 win at San Francisco on Nov. 29.

“I feel like I’m ahead of schedule, but I wouldn’t say that if we had a game tomorrow I’d be ready to play,” Johnson told the team's official website. “We’ve still got some time left. I feel like by the time practice gets here next week I’ll be ready to go.”

#AZCardinals RB Chris Johnson, on IR-to-return, eligible to practice next Tues: "I'll be ready to go." Cannot play before Super Bowl.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) January 6, 2016

Johnson, who is on the team's injured reserve/designated to return list, is not eligible to practice until Tuesday. The earliest he can play is if the Cardinals advance to the Super Bowl.

The 30-year-old Johnson was fourth in the league in rushing with 814 yards at the time of his injury. Signed in mid-August, he was elevated to starter when Andre Ellington was hurt in the season opener and rushed for more than 100 yards in four of his first seven starts.

Rookie David Johnson played exceptionally well in his first four starts since Chris Johnson's injury, including a 187-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Eagles.