Arizona Cardinals

Rookie David Johnson could carry load for Cardinals' backfield

Published Nov. 30, 2015 11:38 p.m. ET

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With Chris Johnson's season in doubt due to a fractured tibia and Andre Ellington nursing another injury, rookie David Johnson may be forced to carry the Arizona Cardinals' ground game for the foreseeable future.

David Johnson has been a touchdown machine for the Cardinals, but he's battled fumble issues and had a total of 15 carries during a seven-game span before rushing for 21 yards on eight attempts in Sunday's 19-13 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

“David is working on his ball security. He’s much better," Arizona coach Bruce Arians told reporters Monday at his media briefing. "I have all the confidence in the world in him and him starting.”

Third-year back Stepfan Taylor, who has only nine carries for 27 yards this season, will likely serve as the backup to David Johnson, a third-round draft pick out of Northern Iowa. The team could also promote Kerwynn Williams from the practice squad if Ellington's turf toe sidelines him.

“You could roll the dice," Arians said of the possibility of going with only two running backs on the active roster. "I’ve done it before. It’s not a real good feeling, especially when one of them is the kickoff returner and he’s also on the punt team, so you have to start shuffling guys around a lot of places.”

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