Report: Cardinals RB Chris Johnson has fractured tibia
Nov 30, 2015, 4:12 PM | Updated: Dec 1, 2015, 11:18 am
Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Chris Johnson had been a revelation for the Cardinals this season, a veteran running back signed during training camp who wound up becoming the team’s No. 1 back.
Unfortunately, it appears Johnson’s dream season may have just turned into a nightmare.
Tough blow for Cardinals @ChrisJohnson28 has fractured tibia, out extended period of time but team still gathering how long this shelves him
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) November 30, 2015
Cardinals now trying to determine if RB Chris Johnson can make it back by end of season with his fractured tibia that @JayGlazer reported.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 30, 2015
Johnson suffered the injury during the third quarter of Arizona’s 19-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers Sunday afternoon. He left the game having run for 17 yards on 12 carries.
On the season, Johnson ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing with 814 yards on 196 carries. The 30-year-old former Tennessee Titan and New York Jet had struggled of late, averaging just 2.9 yards per carry over his last four games.
With Johnson out, the Cardinals will then turn to third-year pro Andre Ellington along with rookie David Johnson and Stepfan Taylor. However, Ellington suffered what coach Bruce Arians described as a “turf toe” injury Sunday, also putting his status in doubt.
Earlier Monday, before Johnson’s status was known, Arians talked about how his team’s depth is being tested.
“Oh, there’s no doubt. David (Johnson) stepped in and did good job. We always trust Stepfan (Taylor) to do his job,” he said. “Whether or not we’ll have to make a roster move for Kerwynn (Williams), we’ll have to wait and see as the week goes on. That’s a possibility, but I’d rather not do that right now.”
