Report: Cardinals RB David Johnson not expected to play against 49ers

Although he had been listed as questionable throughout the week, an Arizona Cardinal is reportedly out for the team’s Thursday night matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday, Cardinals starting running back David Johnson is not expected to play.

The report coincides with an earlier one last Saturday that said Johnson would not only miss the Week 8 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, but the team’s home game against San Francisco as well.

This will be Johnson’s second consecutive game missed as the running back has dealt with ankle and back injuries throughout most of the season. In seven games, he’s recorded 300 yards and two scores on 77 rushing attempts, while catching 30 of his 41 targets for 315 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson leads the team in rushing yards and attempts and only trails backup Chase Edmonds in scores (4).

With Edmonds already officially ruled out, that leaves a running back room consisted of newly acquired Kenyan Drake, who came over in a trade on Wednesday, and Alfred Morris and Zach Zenner, two running backs signed a little over a week ago.

Before going down with a hamstring injury, Edmonds was enjoying his best season as a pro, rushing for 295 yards and four touchdowns on just 58 carries. He also caught 12 balls for 105 yards and a TD.

In Edmonds and Johnson’s absence, Drake would most likely be the one to carry the load.

The former Miami Dolphin rushed for 174 yards on 47 carries in six games (two starts) played this season and added another 174 yards on 22 receptions. In his career, Drake’s ran the rock 333 times for 1,532 yards and nine scores, while catching 116 receptions for 936 yards and six touchdowns.

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