David Johnson looks fresh early for Texans, scores first TD of NFL season

Arizona Cardinals’ celebration when the team traded running back David Johnson to the Houston Texans as a part of the DeAndre Hopkins deal was just about unanimous.

Johnson in 2019 looked far from his 2016 All-Pro self, lacking any real explosion in his runs that he was known for. His signature move, the jump cut, was all but extinct, as he didn’t take any of his 258 carries for over 20 yards.

Texans general manager Bill O’Brien was criticized in particular for taking on Johnson’s contract, which it was assumed the Cardinals would have to salary dump if they got rid of it. Not only did Houston take on the money, but Arizona only had to throw in a second-round pick on top of Johnson to get Hopkins back. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell gave the Texans an “F” trade grade.

So it’s safe to say Johnson surprised the masses when he looked somewhat back to his old self on Thursday Night Football, the first game of the season.

Through two drives, Johnson had three carries for 33 yards and a touchdown in Kansas City against the Chiefs. While his top-end speed wasn’t quite there, Johnson’s ability to create early separation through those jump cuts was on full display.

That included a 19-yard touchdown run that was longer than any rush he had in his last season as a Cardinal.

.@DavidJohnson31 is back.

19-yard rush for the first TD of the 2020 season! #WeAreTexans

📺: #HOUvsKC on NBC
📱: Watch free on NFL App // Yahoo Sports App: https://t.co/JE1vatFZxv pic.twitter.com/ZfczE1autr

— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2020

Twitter from Cardinals land had a collective “Huh?!” reaction to how good Johnson looked early.

Looking like 2016 @DavidJohnson31.

— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) September 11, 2020

David Johnson with some giddy up for that TD!

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) September 11, 2020

A lot of Cardinal players are rooting for David Johnson tonight. A change of scenery can-do wonders will see.

— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) September 11, 2020

Al said that was longer than any of David Johnson’s runs last year??

— Kevin Zimmerman (@KZimmermanAZ) September 11, 2020

That DJ looks familiar, LOVE it.

— Paige Dimakos (@The_SportsPaige) September 11, 2020

David Johnson just ran for a touchdown…#KCvsHOU pic.twitter.com/bpFaWMMlCV

— Cody Fincher (@Bear987FM) September 11, 2020

Wow, look at that, DJ’s actually in shape!

— Max (@maxmcc11) September 11, 2020

The former Cardinals running back finished with 77 yards on 11 carries to go along with 32 yards and three receptions, as the Chiefs won the game 34-20.

Related

Cardinals-49ers injury report Week 1: Niners rule out WR Deebo SamuelP2 'at peace' with contract, confident in Cardinals' CB depthLarry Fitzgerald on if he wins a Super Bowl: 'You wouldn't see me around'Cardinals rookie OL Chase Bisontis suffers torn MCLWhat did we learn from Cardinals’ win vs. Raiders?Jeremiyah Love dealing with ankle injury from preseason debut vs. Raiders