ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals place WR KeeSean Johnson on COVID-19 reserve list

Sep 11, 2020, 2:02 PM | Updated: 10:05 pm

(AP Photo/Gail Burton)...

(AP Photo/Gail Burton)

(AP Photo/Gail Burton)

The Arizona Cardinals on Friday placed receiver KeeSean Johnson on the COVID-19 reserve list, the first such transaction for the team and a move that comes two days before the season opener.

The team does not report whether Johnson tested positive for coronavirus or whether he is in quarantine after being in close contact with a person who was infected. If a player falls into either category, a team is required to place him on the list.

The rules for a return date depend on whether the player tested positive or was potentially exposed. If they test positive, a timeline for a return then depends on whether they are symptomatic or not.

Johnson was listed as a non-participant on Thursday’s injury report.

Johnson was in the running to receive a limited number of snaps behind starters DeAndre Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk. He, Andy Isabella and Trent Sherfield make up the rest of the receiver room at present.

Johnson started off fast as a rookie last season, earning 50% or more of the offensive snaps in five games. He hit somewhat of a wall and without special teams duties tallied inactive stints in the last six games of the year. He finished with 21 catches for 187 yards.

“KeeSean started off pretty fast,” Arizona receivers coach David Raih said. “He kind of showed up, making plays. As you get into a 16-game NFL season, it’s hard to be consistent. The other thing was Kee wasn’t a top-three receiver or top-four receiver — I mean consistently.

“I can tell you this. He’s got a ton of pride. He worked on it all offseason,” Raih said. “Personally, I love him. He’s so fun to coach because he cares so much.”

If the Cardinals want to carry six receivers into Sunday’s Week 1 game against the San Francisco 49ers, they have options on the practice squad with receivers JoJo Ward, Andre Patton and A.J. Richardson.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Darius Robinson...

Alex Weiner

Cardinals took trade calls at NFL Draft, stood pat for Marvin Harrison Jr. and Darius Robinson

The Cardinals stood pat with their first-round picks at the NFL Draft, a difference from general manager Monti Ossenfort's strategy in 2023.

8 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Marvin Harrison Jr. checked all the extra boxes when he met with the Cardinals at the combine

Marvin Harrison Jr. checked all the extra boxes when he met with the Cardinals at the combine and then when he visited Arizona, GM Monti Ossenfort said.

8 hours ago

Marvin Harrison Jr. speaks with reporters after getting drafted at No. 4 overall by the Arizona Car...

Tyler Drake

Marvin Harrison ecstatic to be a Cardinal, Kyler Murray’s newest WR1

Marvin Harrison Jr. is ready to follow in former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald's footsteps.

9 hours ago

Marvin Harrison Jr. arrives to the 2024 NFL Draft...

Dan Bickley

Marvin Harrison Jr. gets the Larry Fitzgerald seal of approval

The entire state of Arizona was cheering loudly when the Cardinals selected Marvin Harrison Jr., including the great Larry Fitzgerald.

9 hours ago

Darius Robinson...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals take DL Darius Robinson with No. 27 pick in 1st round of NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals selected Darius Robinson out of Missouri with the No. 27 pick of the NFL Draft during the first round on Thursday.

10 hours ago

Marvin Harrison Jr. after being selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals at the 2024 NFL Dr...

Alex Weiner

Cardinals’ Marvin Harrison Jr. at NFL Draft: ‘I’m gonna work as hard as I can to earn trust’

Marvin Harrison Jr. said he could not be more excited to be an Arizona Cardinal after getting pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

11 hours ago

Cardinals place WR KeeSean Johnson on COVID-19 reserve list