Chris Johnson spent most of the offseason trying to convince teams that he was still healthy and could play. After a lackluster year with the New York Jets, Johnson was released and did not get any looks until training camp time when the Arizona Cardinals signed the veteran to a one-year deal. Now, Johnson will get a chance to prove that he is still capable of excelling as he is expected to start in Week 2 for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals will be without leading rusher Andre Ellington after he suffered a Grade 1 PCL sprain. The injury happened in the fourth quarter of the team's win over the New Orleans Saints and the rusher is not expected back for at least another week or so. That opens the door for Johnson who replaced Ellington and recorded 30 yards off seven carries. According to Kevin Petra of NFL.com, Johnson will now start against the Chicago Bears.
"I'm always preparing myself like I'm getting 20, 25 touches a game," Johnson said, via ESPN.com. "With me (my mindset ) don't change at all. Practice hard every week, study a lot, and just, even though when you're not the starter, you still have to go in there like you're going to have to play. They're still going to need you and knowing that I'm going to have a role on this team, I can't sit there and not prepare like a starter even though I'm not the starter. I got to prepare the same way."
Head coach Bruce Arians told the media that he is hopeful for more of an even split of carries for the running backs, but with Ellington sidelined it is up to Johnson to take care of the rushing attack. The Cardinals looked balanced on Sunday which should take some rushing pressure off the back, but he is expected to get about 25 carries at least in the upcoming game with rookie David Johnson assisting as a backup.
The Cardinals looked strong in the season opener as Carson Palmer showed no lingering issues after a season-ending injury. He reunited with Larry Fitzgerald and created a nice dynamic duo. Palmer was a fantasy leader on Sunday while getting help from John Brown and Darren Fells. There is pressure for Johnson to step up. He did a lot of talking in the offseason and now is the time to show up and prove it right.