Report: Free agent RB Chris Johnson visiting Miami
Mar 16, 2016, 8:59 AM
Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) is chased by the Detroit Lions defense during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
The Miami Dolphins are looking for a running back.
They’ve reportedly set their sights on an Arizona Cardinals free agent.
After missing out on CJ Anderson, Dolphins moving in on another CJ: former Cards' RB Chris Johnson, who's visiting Miami today, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2016
Johnson, 30, signed with the Cardinals in training camp last summer and went on to start nine games. Johnson ran for 814 yards on 196 carries and scored three touchdowns for the NFC West champs before injuring his knee in a Week 11 road win at San Francisco.
Earlier this offseason, Johnson went on record and said he’d like to return to the desert for another season.
“They want me back and I want to be back,” Johnson said on Sirius/XM NFL Radio in February. “You know how the business side goes, though. Everything’s got to be right for both parties and I can’t wait to get back out there.”
Of course, Miami’s need at the position changes the picture. The Dolphins lost starter Lamar Miller, who signed a four-year, $26 million contract with the Houston Texans. Then, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter pointed out, they made a run at C.J. Anderson, but the Broncos matched the restricted free agent offer.
The Cardinals are expected to start David Johnson at running back 2016, and ultimately would use Chris Johnson as a change-of-pace type. The younger Johnson stepped in and started after Chris’ injury, and performed admirably, running for 442 yards and four touchdowns on 90 carries in five regular-season starts. He also started Arizona’s two playoff games, running for 95 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries.
Johnson is a native of Florida — he was born and raised in Orlando.
