ARIZONA CARDINALS

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)
(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.

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

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) scores on a 1-yard touchdown run ahead of Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph, left, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, center, runs from Minnesota Vikings defenders Everson Griffen, left, and Jaleel Johnson (94) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray scrambles up field during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins runs off the field during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins looks to throw a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) runs from Arizona Cardinals defenders Tramaine Brock (20) and D.J. Swearinger (36) during an 85-yard touchdown run in the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook celebrates with teammate CJ Ham (30) after scoring on an 85-yard touchdown run in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) Arizona Cardinals place kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) kicks a 32-yard field goal in front of Minnesota Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes, left, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs from Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo (95) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals star backer Isaiah Simmons (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Isaiah Simmons remains positionless in Cardinals’ new-look defense

The Cardinals have a decision to make when it comes down to Isaiah Simmons. And no, it's not centered around the fifth-year option.
1 day ago
DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals is called for a personal foul penalty against Eric Sto...
Tyler Drake

Jonathan Gannon operating under premise DeAndre Hopkins will be a Card

While the trade chatter surrounding wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins continues, he's a Cardinal until he isn't in HC Jonathan Gannon's eyes.
1 day ago
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Allen (94) walks off the field after being checked for an inju...
Arizona Sports

Cardinals replacing head athletic trainer Tom Reed

The Arizona Cardinals have fired longtime head athletic trainer Tom Reed, reports Compare.bet's Kyle Odegard.
1 day ago
DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a catch in front of David Long Jr. #22 of the Lo...
Wills Rice

Report: Cardinals grant teams permission to speak to DeAndre Hopkins

The Arizona Cardinals have reportedly granted teams permission to speak to wideout DeAndre Hopkins and his agent, SI's Albert Breer said.
2 days ago
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) works in the pocket against the Tennessee Titans dur...
Tyler Drake

Lamar Jackson’s trade request adds an extra layer to busy NFL offseason

The twists and turns of the NFL offseason roll on following Ravens QB Lamar Jackson's Monday announcement of his trade request.
2 days ago
General manager Monti Ossenfort of the Arizona Cardinals speaks to the media during the NFL Combine...
Tyler Drake

2023 NFL Mock Draft Tracker: What will the Cardinals do with 3rd pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
3 days ago
Cardinals WR KeeSean Johnson continues to impress in loss to Vikings