Arizona Cardinals

Injuries are giving RB David Johnson a chance to shine at minicamp

Published Jun. 10, 2015 2:07 p.m. ET

foxsports

Sometimes all it takes is an opportunity and that is exactly what running back David Johnson has right now with the Arizona Cardinals. Both Stepfan Taylor and Kerwynn Williams are rehabbing minor injuries and sat out the first day of minicamp.

Johnson has had a chance to get some reps with the first-team offense and is impressing quarterback Carson Palmer with his catch-passing abilities.

"I think he brings a little bit of a change of pace," Palmer said of Johnson, via ESPN.com. "I don't think there's a big drop off in the pass game stuff because he catches the ball so well and has a natural route-running style and gait about it.

"He's a little bit bigger, a little bit heavier and a little bit more of a grinder (than Andre Ellington). He's going to wear on defenses a little bit, so it's a really good change of pace for us."

Ellington has a grasp on the starting running back role, but as long as Johnson continues to perform the way he has throughout OTAs and minicamp, he should see himself getting plenty of playing time this season out of the backfield.

(h/t ESPN)