Cardinals’ David Johnson named NFC Offensive Player of the Week

Oct 12, 2016, 6:59 AM

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs against San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

The legend of David Johnson continues to grow.

The second-year running back was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week Wednesday following his stellar performance against the San Francisco 49ers. Johnson ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries and caught three passes for 28 yards in the Cardinals’ 33-21 road win last Thursday night.

Johnson currently leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage, with 695 — 62 yards more than Tennessee’s DeMarco Murray. He’s third in the league in rushing with 457 yards on 91 carries, behind only Dallas rookie Ezekiel Elliott and Murray. His 14 runs of 10 yards or more are the most in the NFL.

This is the first time Johnson has won the Offensive Player of the Week award, but he did garner Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 2 of 2015 when he returned the opening kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown in a 48-23 win over the Chicago Bears.

He’s also the first Cardinals running back to win the award since LeShon Johnson in 1996.

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Arizona Cardinals strong safety Tony Jefferson, left, and defensive back D.J. Swearinger tackle San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) scores on a touchdown reception against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell, center, intercepts a San Francisco 49ers pass during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) tries to get away from Arizona Cardinals strong safety Deone Bucannon during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates his touchdown reception with guard Earl Watford during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs from San Francisco 49ers linebacker Nick Bellore, middle, and defensive end Taylor Hart (96) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde celebrates after running for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) carries against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) and strong safety Deone Bucannon, rear, during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden (44) as defensive end Frostee Rucker (92) follows during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden, right, celebrates next to free safety Tyrann Mathieu after sacking San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) stands on the field next to tight end Garrett Celek (88) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Arizona Cardinals defensive back Marcus Cooper, left, celebrates with outside linebacker Markus Golden (44) after Cooper intercepted a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, left, greets San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly after an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. The Cardinals won 33-21. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) shakes hands with Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) after an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. The Cardinals won 33-21. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold (58), quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and safety Eric Reid (35) kneel during the national anthem before the team's NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

San Francisco 49ers defensive back Dontae Johnson, left, holds his hand over his heart as strong safety Jaquiski Tartt, rear, strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) they raise their fists during the national anthem before the team's NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) adjusts the hat of one of the people holding the flag during the national anthem before an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Michael Wilhoite during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) prepares to sack Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. 49ers linebacker Nick Bellore, not seen, was also credited on the sack. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

San Francisco 49ers' Jeremy Kerley (17) runs against Arizona Cardinals' Tony Jefferson during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (17) is congratulated by Quinton Patton (11) after scoring on a reception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Nick Bellore, right, tackles Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrate after connecting on a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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