ARIZONA CARDINALS

Could Chris Johnson be the RB solution for Cardinals?

Oct 10, 2012, 4:33 PM | Updated: 5:48 pm

It’s no secret that the Arizona Cardinals are thin at the running back position.

Beanie Wells is on the shelf with a turf toe injury until at least Thanksgiving, and Ryan Williams is out for the year after suffering a shoulder injury in last Thursday’s loss to the St. Louis Rams.

That leaves LaRod Stephens-Howling, who has spent most of his career as a third down back, and the unproven William Powell and Alfonso Smith as options for head coach Ken Whisenhunt.

Nobody would blame Arizona brass for going out and searching for running backs either through trade or free agent signings at this point. And while some interesting names have surfaced this week, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is offering up the most interesting name of all — Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans.

Johnson became only the sixth player in league history to eclipse the 2,000-yard barrier in a single season when he ran for 2,006 in 2009. But since then, his output has waned. The three-time Pro Bowler ran for 1,364 in 2010 and just 1,047 last season.

In four games this season, Johnson has run for just 210 yards on 73 carries. The fifth-year pro out of East Carolina is on pace for just 672 yards this year.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

John Gambadoro

The Gambo 5: Predicting whom the Arizona Cardinals pick 1st in 2024

Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze and two others are on Gambo's list of predicted Arizona Cardinals picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

4 hours ago

Monti Ossenfort speaks at the NFL Combine...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will the Cardinals do with the No. 4 pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

5 hours ago

Steve Keim looks on...

Tyler Drake

Ex-Cardinals general manager Steve Keim ‘much happier now’ after rehab stint

Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim opened up about his mysterious leave of absence and parting of ways from the team on Tuesday.

24 hours ago

Presented By...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What is the best move the Cardinals can make in the 1st round of the NFL Draft?

On this episode of Cardinals Corner, Arizona Sports Cardinals reporter Tyler Drake and do-it-all contributor Lauren Koval dive into their best- and worst-case scenarios for the Cardinals in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

1 day ago

Malik Nabers celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Prisco: Cardinals ‘should’ take Malik Nabers over Marvin Harrison Jr. in NFL Draft

CBS Sports draft analyst Pete Prisco believes LSU's Malik Nabers should be the Cardinals' pick at fourth overall in his latest mock draft.

1 day ago

Chop Robinson runs the 4-=yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine...

Tyler Drake

Which NFL Draft prospects are being mocked to Cardinals’ No. 27 pick?

A look at what NFL Draft analysts are thinking when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' second first-round pick.

1 day ago

Could Chris Johnson be the RB solution for Cardinals?