Cardinals WR KeeSean Johnson continues to impress in loss to Vikings
Aug 24, 2019, 5:13 PM | Updated: Aug 25, 2019, 9:36 am
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals receiving room is undoubtedly crowded.
With numerous wideouts vying for the remaining spots left to be had in the receiving corps, every snap counts. Especially with another veteran receiver in the fold in Michael Crabtree.
For rookie KeeSean Johnson, he’s not just making snaps count, he’s making his name known in the process.
Saturday provided the latest test for the former Fresno State Bulldog.
On the road for the first time as an NFL player, Johnson went to work, recording seven receptions on seven targets for 85 yards in the team’s 20-9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He averaged 12.1 yards per catch.
RELATED STORIES
The rookie paced all Cardinals wideouts, with veteran Pharoh Cooper next in line with three receptions for 59 yards. Damiere Byrd also impressed, reeling in two catches for 51 yards, highlighted by a 33-yard reception.
“I’ve liked what I’ve seen,” Kingsbury said of his wideouts postgame. “They continue to get better, they continue to work hard. It’s a good group and anytime you have [Fitzgerald] in there and he’s working like he works, the other guys fall in line.
“And having the addition of Crabtree coming in, another savvy veteran who’s a hardworker, tough player. I think that room’s just going to get better and better.”
Johnson echoed Kingsbury’s words on the newest Cardinal wide receiver.
“He’s going to come in and just help guys compete,” Johnson said after the game. “For me, I kinda look at it as it’s another guy I can learn from and just get things from and implement it into my own game.”
Johnson has continued to improve throughout the preseason, and his teammates are taking notice, looking the wide receiver’s way more often than not.
In the last three preseason games, Johnson was either first in targets or tied for second. All told, the WR has compiled 12 catches for 137 yards.
“I just want to keep going out there, help my team get first downs and try to win games,” Johnson said. “I’m going to play through anything and give my team all I got.”
Array
