The Chris Johnson Hype machine (1 Viewer)

[Bri]

I would think IR for him unless broken legs heal in a month?

Maybe they're hoping he'll be back for the playoffs - team certainly has Super Bowl aspirations.

I can't imagine him returning. Players have come back quick from the non-weight bearing bone, but not the weight bearing one.

He's gonna be all glad he can walk in 3-6 weeks, nevermind run fast.

I think he showed them a ton and will return in 2016. It's not like the Cards shy away from older skill position players and he was a top 3 back.

 

[zamboni]

I would think IR for him unless broken legs heal in a month?

Maybe they're hoping he'll be back for the playoffs - team certainly has Super Bowl aspirations.

I can't imagine him returning. Players have come back quick from the non-weight bearing bone, but not the weight bearing one.

He's gonna be all glad he can walk in 3-6 weeks, nevermind run fast.

I think he showed them a ton and will return in 2016. It's not like the Cards shy away from older skill position players and he was a top 3 back.

True, he did outperform this year, but did seem to be slowing down a bit anyway. A broken leg isn't ligament-related, but who knows how this will impact him further.

As for next year, my guess is that he comes back as veteran depth and/or push David Johnson for the starting gig. Ellington may be shown the door, although he his still pretty cheap depth - just not reliable.

 

[Van Dyman]

I would think IR for him unless broken legs heal in a month?

Maybe they're hoping he'll be back for the playoffs - team certainly has Super Bowl aspirations.

I can't imagine him returning. Players have come back quick from the non-weight bearing bone, but not the weight bearing one.

He's gonna be all glad he can walk in 3-6 weeks, nevermind run fast.

I think he showed them a ton and will return in 2016. It's not like the Cards shy away from older skill position players and he was a top 3 back.

True, he did outperform this year, but did seem to be slowing down a bit anyway. A broken leg isn't ligament-related, but who knows how this will impact him further.

As for next year, my guess is that he comes back as veteran depth and/or push David Johnson for the starting gig. Ellington may be shown the door, although he his still pretty cheap depth - just not reliable.

If the Cards see him as veteran depth next year, they won't be offering much money and someone else will offer more. CJ will follow the money, imo.

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Chris Johnson (broken leg, I.R./return) is expected to participate in "some parts" of Cardinals practice this week.

Stashed on I.R./return, Johnson is only eligible for the Super Bowl, but the fact that he's ready to resume practicing suggests he'd be ready for the big game a month from now were the Cardinals to advance. With David Johnson playing so well in CJ2K's absence, he'd probably be little more than a change of pace in Santa Clara.

Source: Kent Somers on Twitter

 

[djjosee]

What happens with a 30 year old CJ next year?

a) Does he re-sign w the Cards? (emergence of DJ complicates things)

b) Signs with other team? (Lots of FAs out there)

c) Becomes unemployed? (After the season he was having, it's hard to believe)

 

[JohnnyU]

What happens with a 30 year old CJ next year?

a) Does he re-sign w the Cards? (emergence of DJ complicates things)

b) Signs with other team? (Lots of FAs out there)

c) Becomes unemployed? (After the season he was having, it's hard to believe)

Signs with another team. He was only on a 1 year contract with the Cardinals.

 

[Faust]

Cards' Chris Johnson plans potential Super Bowl return: 'It's showtime'

 

[georg013]

What happens with a 30 year old CJ next year?

a) Does he re-sign w the Cards? (emergence of DJ complicates things)

b) Signs with other team? (Lots of FAs out there)

c) Becomes unemployed? (After the season he was having, it's hard to believe)

Signs with another team. He was only on a 1 year contract with the Cardinals.

I think he re-signs with the Cards dropping DJ down to the number two overall fantasy asset disappointing owners worldwide.

 

[Faust]

 

In an ESPN prediction piece, Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss suggested that Chris Johnson could beat out David Johnson for Arizona's starting running back job.
This wasn't a bold prediction or hyperbole-based piece. The predictions were compiled from beat writers and ESPN analysts and (other than this one) were pretty realistic. Weinfuss predicted that Chris "will claim the starting job," and Chris and David will ultimately form a "dynamic thunder and lightning backfield." It's certainly not a prediction we'd be willing to make, but noteworthy if Chris has a bigger 2016 role than expected.

Related: David Johnson
 
Source: ESPN.com 
Jun 1 - 4:30 PM

 

[Faust]

 

ESPN Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss listed Chris Johnson as the team's first-string running back in his starting lineup projections.
Weinfuss created a stir in early June when he suggested the player once known as CJ2K would start over David Johnson this year. Weinfuss is back and doubling down, omitting David from his starting lineup projections in favor of the elder Chris. In a recent video on Cardinals.com, venerable longtime beat reporter Darren Urban stated emphatically that David is Arizona's feature back and "I don't know how anyone would suggest otherwise at this point."

Related: David Johnson
 
Source: ESPN.com 
Jul 21 - 12:07 PM

 

[Faust]

Chris Johnson (groin, injured reserve) is undergoing sports-hernia surgery.
As is CB Tyvon Branch. It's certainly an injury Johnson or Branch could return from this season, and AZCardinals.com's Darren Urban expects one of them to be the team's designated "return" player. Who will probably depend on the Cardinals' needs in two months.

 
Source: Mike Jurecki on Twitter

 

[thehoch]

Andre Ellington good pick up now?

 

[kutta]

Andre Ellington good pick up now?

No. He's never going to be the starter while Arians is there. If DJ goes down its going to just be a complete mess.

 

[thehoch]

Yeah, I believe you are right, thanks!

 

[zamboni]

Agreed, Ellington has more than a few chances and Arians doesn't seem to trust him at all. I think the Cardinals would sooner turn to a one-time has been that is sitting on his couch (a la Tim Hightower or Shane Draughn) than turn the reins over to Ellington.

 

[Faust]

 

Free agent Chris Johnson intimated he plans to continue his playing career.
"I definitely know I can still make plays," Johnson said. "I definitely know I still have my speed." Johnson was injured in Week 4 last season and missed the remainder of the season after having sports-hernia surgery. Before going down, Johnson still looked like he can hit the edge with the best of them. Entering his age-32 year, Johnson can still help a team in a bit role.

 
 
Source: Sirius XM NFL Radio 
Feb 28 - 8:34 PM

 

[petekrum]

He doesn't even exist.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

He doesn't even exist.

I think he could still be a decent backup/CoP running back. He still has above average speed and instincts. He's surely only a part time player at this point, but he could be useful in that role.

I'm sure he'll latch on somewhere if he's willing to make reasonable salary demands.

 

[petekrum]

I think he could still be a decent backup/CoP running back. He still has above average speed and instincts. He's surely only a part time player at this point, but he could be useful in that role.

I'm sure he'll latch on somewhere if he's willing to make reasonable salary demands.

Agree. Still has use in real football, but is a ghost in fantasy.

 

[Faust]

Free agent RB Chris Johnson reiterated his desire to continue his playing career.

Johnson, 31, said getting to 10,000 career rushing yards is a motivating factor. He currently sits at 9,537 in 32nd place all time, and only 29 players ever have accumulated 10,000 yards on the ground. CJ2K said he remains in "close contact" with the Cardinals, and a "few teams" have also shown interest.

Related: Cardinals
 
Source: Sirius XM NFL Radio 
Jun 2 - 11:08 AM

 

[Faust]

Cardinals re-signed RB Chris Johnson to a one-year contract.

It's the best possible outcome for the former 2,000-yard rusher, who turns 32 in September. Johnson has found a nice niche as a Bruce Arians reserve, but was limited to four games by a groin injury last season. His explosion is long gone, but Johnson can still follow blocks and go station to station. The Cardinals' official website expects him to remain the No. 2 behind David Johnson. A committee would emerge were DJ to go down with injury, limiting Johnson's appeal as a handcuff.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter 

Jul 20 - 3:17 PM

 

[Eminence]

I like him going to the Cardinals. He looked good there a few years ago and that was without his old speed (obviously).

If Arians likes him as a backup, so do I.

Glad to see a guy who loves to play football still getting paid and possibly given a chance to jump a few rungs on the all time rushing list before he retires.

 

[cloppbeast]

Is CJ the obvious handcuff for DJ?

 

[SCT]

Just got an alert that he's been cut.  Ellington the handcuff to DJ now?  I imagine they'll pick up someone like Ryan matthews.

 

[Riffraff]

Kerwyn, filled in nicely for an injured DJ last year as well.

 

[Bri]

Haven't seen CJ this summer

He'd be a fine third down back as long as he still has some speed to him and no arrogance. 

 

[Faust]

Cardinals re-sign veteran RB Chris Johnson

 

[Bri]

Cardinals re-sign veteran RB Chris Johnson

I don't like their backups

I picked up Johnson with the context he's older and slower but better than them.

Why cut him?

Because developing him would do the cards no good, he's older and i'ts not like there was an expectation David would get hurt. Teams usually choose youth for backups. The Pats and some other teams (Danny Woodhead, ADP) still go with some older guys but it's not like it was a decade ago. Backups are usually young nowadays

 

[Weebs210]

I don't like their backups

I picked up Johnson with the context he's older and slower but better than them.

Why cut him?

Because developing him would do the cards no good, he's older and i'ts not like there was an expectation David would get hurt. Teams usually choose youth for backups. The Pats and some other teams (Danny Woodhead, ADP) still go with some older guys but it's not like it was a decade ago. Backups are usually young nowadays

He looked terrible in preseason. Speed was the only thing he had going for him and he's about to be 32. Not buying it.

 

[Bri]

He looked terrible in preseason. Speed was the only thing he had going for him and he's about to be 32. Not buying it.

oh yeah? Interesting

I really haven't followed him much- used to when he was a Titan but definitely not as much anymore

 

[Weebs210]

oh yeah? Interesting

I really haven't followed him much- used to when he was a Titan but definitely not as much anymore

I mean there is always a chance and I've been wrong before but I just don't see it.

 

[Bri]

I mean there is always a chance and I've been wrong before but I just don't see it.

I've been looking the last few minutes. He seems similar to me. 

He's always been the guy to run into the line 2-3 times and get nothing, then vroom, off he goes. The Jets never let him get to the vroom part and always pulled him. If a coach is thinking of him for a play here n there, then I think you gotta get him outside with a screen or a pitch.

Because of the nothing runs, he's not the best fill-in type during a game. 

I can see awful and same ol Chris in these.

Arians knows him. I'm not thinking this week but curious of next week or the week after. Does he need a week to get up to speed?

 

[Warhogs]

I invested a little bit on the cheap.  He was the starter prior to David Johnson taking over back in 2015. In 2015 he played 11 games with 9 starts. In that season he had 814 rushing yards and 4.2 ypc. He also had 4 100 yard games in those 9 starts. To me that doesn't look like a guy that the wheels had fallen off.  Last year he had very limited work.  Certainly father time could have caught him since then but I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a decent look as the replacement.

 

[Saboo]

Chris Johnson is the best rb in Arizona. Not saying he’s going to light the world on fire, but he’s worth a speculative add.

To me even at his advanced age Johnson is a better than Kerywnn Williams and Bruce Arians seems to agree as he has moved him to the top of the Cardinals depth chart.

 

[Weebs210]

Chris Johnson is the best rb in Arizona. Not saying he’s going to light the world on fire, but he’s worth a speculative add.

To me even at his advanced age Johnson is a better than Kerywnn Williams and Bruce Arians seems to agree as he has moved him to the top of the Cardinals depth chart.

I agree.  I was right about Williams getting first crack at the job(he was bad) but was wrong about CJ still having enough in the tank. He looked pretty good.

 

[ahartig]

Bruce Arians seems to agree as he has moved him to the top of the Cardinals depth chart.

Where is this official? I have only seen some chatter about it on Mike Jurecki twitter feed about BA making a decision later in the week.

Seems like the right move, I snagged him for free last week in hopes of this.  He had a great 2015 season before he got hurt and DJ took over.

 

[The Frankman]

The other thing going for CJ0K is that he can catch passes better than Kerwynn Williams, so he's not as one-dimensional. He ain't taking food from Ellington, but the option is there at least. He was dropped in my 16-teamer for Andre Holmes (lol), I'm putting in some FAAB money for him.

 

[zamboni]

The other thing going for CJ0K is that he can catch passes better than Kerwynn Williams, so he's not as one-dimensional. He ain't taking food from Ellington, but the option is there at least. He was dropped in my 16-teamer for Andre Holmes (lol), I'm putting in some FAAB money for him.

Ellington doesn't seem to be playing like he wants to eat anymore. CJ could grow into a passing role, too.

 

[The Frankman]

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians expects Chris Johnson's carries to increase in Week 3.

Making his 2017 debut, Johnson had 11 carries in Week 2, soundly out-playing Kerwynn Williams. Arians appears ready to give Johnson a chance to run with starting duties during David Johnson's absence. Fantasy players shouldn't expect more than an RB3 day, but Johnson is worth scooping up in leagues where he remains unowned (admittedly, probably not many).

Source: Mike Jurecki on Twitter

Sep 21 - 4:11 PM

CHOO CHOO!!!

 

[ahartig]

Ya baby. Snagged him for free before week 2 and did a little rain dance. Must have worked! DJ owner here, so if CJ can be the lead dog until DJ gets back I'm going to be a happy camper  

 

[zamboni]

If he takes over some of receiving duties from Ellington - who looks pretty bad out there - CJ may have some real value.

 

[SameSongNDance]

If he takes over some of receiving duties from Ellington - who looks pretty bad out there - CJ may have some real value.

I think this is unlikely, mostly because BA hasn't utilized him all that much in the passing game in the past. I think he'll see a target or two a game but he'll ultimately have more value in standard scoring leagues.

I will say, I went back and watched his touches vs. IND and then watched some of his touches from 2015 and there was no discernible difference between the two. He looks solid to me, albeit on a small sample size.

 

[ahartig]

I will say, I went back and watched his touches vs. IND and then watched some of his touches from 2015 and there was no discernible difference between the two. He looks solid to me, albeit on a small sample size.

I have been scouring youtube trying to watch his Indy touches, any way you can post a summary video like you did for Alex Collins, that was greatly appreciated.

 

[SameSongNDance]

His touches vs. IND.

 

[zamboni]

I think this is unlikely, mostly because BA hasn't utilized him all that much in the passing game in the past. I think he'll see a target or two a game but he'll ultimately have more value in standard scoring leagues.

I will say, I went back and watched his touches vs. IND and then watched some of his touches from 2015 and there was no discernible difference between the two. He looks solid to me, albeit on a small sample size.

Probably true about his usage, but Ellington seemed to be more effective two years ago. I guess we'll have to see how it all plays out.

 

[Ilov80s]

His touches vs. IND.

I know it's the Colts, but he looks good. If I didn't know who it was, no way I would guess it was a 30 something RB signed off the streets. 

 

[LordHusker]

Lordy, I hope this backfield shakes out this week. As a desperate 0-2 DJ owner, I have spent way too much $$ and time on it in the past 10 days. Banking on CJ now ...

 

[The Frankman]

Things to take away from the vid. Granted, it's the Colts.

1) His line blocked really well on most of the runs.

2) He doesn't have the speed he used to but his vision appears to be good. He's not looking to slam into the backs of people, he looks to make as many cuts as he needs to try to bust one.

3) He still has enough bounce to stretch outside if there is no room in the middle.

I'm of the same opinion as you guys, he didn't look like this in preseason. I thought he was washed myself, the guy I saw in the vid is much better than Kerwynn Williams.

 

[The Frankman]

Chris Johnson will remain the Cardinals' starting running back for Week 4.

Johnson carried the mail on early downs against the Cowboys, but was ineffective. He was out-snapped and out-gained by Andre Ellington. Coach Bruce Arians decided Johnson was "rusty," and will get another chance against the 49ers. Kerwynn Williams is the other option between the tackles.

So that's something. BTW Williams had 1 snap.

 

[Weebs210]

So that's something. BTW Williams had 1 snap.

Going to hold for one more week as there isn't much out there.