D'Ernest Johnson - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Two touches in blowout loss Johnson carried twice for three yards during Sunday's 52-6 loss to the Lions.

Impact The 28-year-old suited up after being considered questionable with a hamstring injury, and he played just 27 percent of the offensive snaps. Johnson has five carries for 12 yards and one reception for 20 yards over the past four games, and he isn't likely to be significantly involved in the offense while Travis Etienne is healthy.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Set to play Sunday Johnson (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game in Detroit.

Impact Johnson played through a hamstring injury this past Sunday versus the Vikings, but despite fellow RB Tank Bigsby (ankle) departing after 10 snaps and one carry, the former didn't earn a touch on four offensive plays. Meanwhile, Travis Etienne dominated the Jaguars backfield to the tune of 12 touches for 43 yards from scrimmage on 30 snaps. With Bigsby ruled out for Week 11, Johnson will back up Etienne, but his usage likely will be limited.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Remains limited Thursday Johnson (hamstring) was limited in Thursday's practice.

Impact Johnson has opened the week with back-to-back limited practices due to a hamstring injury, and unless he logs a DNP on Friday, he's expected to play through the issue against the Lions on Sunday. Johnson didn't record a stat across four offensive snaps in Week 10 against the Vikings, and in the two games prior he logged just three carries for nine yards. However, Johnson could see an increased workload in Week 11 if backup running back Tank Bigsby (ankle) is unable to play.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Limited Wednesday Johnson (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Johnson played through his hamstring issue in the Jaguars' Week 10 loss to the Vikings, failing to record a stat across just four offensive snaps. The 28-year-old running back will likely continue playing through the issue in Jacksonville's Week 11 matchup against the Lions unless it worsens over the course of the week.

NOVEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Sunday Johnson (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Impact Johnson was added to the Jaguars' injury report Thursday and was a limited participant in the team's final two practices of the week, but the hamstring issue won't keep him from playing Sunday. He'll be available as a third option out of the backfield behind Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby, with most of Johnson's usage likely to come on passing downs. Etienne made his return from a two-game absence in last week's loss to the Eagles, and Johnson consequently saw his snap share drop to 22 percent, his lowest since Week 5.

NOVEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Week 10 Johnson (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Vikings.

Impact Johnson likely sustained a hamstring injury during practice this week and is now in jeopardy of missing Jacksonville's Week 10 game. He practiced in a limited fashion both Thursday and Friday, but if he's unable to play through the pain Sunday, expect Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby to handle all of the Jaguars' running back duties.

NOVEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Working through hamstring injury Johnson (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Impact Johnson may have picked up a hamstring during practice Wednesday or Thursday. His participation in Friday's session will provide clarity on his status for Sunday's game against the Vikings. Johnson has served as the Jaguars' No. 3 running back this season behind Travis Etienne (hamstring) and Tank Bigsby (ankle).

NOVEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Reverts to No. 3 role Johnson carried twice for six yards and failed to catch his lone target during Sunday's 26-23 loss to the Eagles.

Impact The 28-year-old played 13 offensive snaps as Jacksonville's backfield returned to full strength, though that was only slightly less playing time than starter Travis Etienne saw in his return from two-game absence. Johnson should continue to see sporadic opportunities as the Jaguars' depth back while Etienne and Tank Bigsby remain healthy.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

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NOVEMBER 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Less involved as No. 2 back Johnson carried once for three yards and caught one of two targets for 20 yards during Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Packers.

Impact The 28-year-old once totaled 20 touches in the previous two games with Travis Etienne (hamstring) unavailable, but both of those contests were blowouts. Tank Bigsby dominated the backfield work Sunday as Jacksonville nearly took Green Bay to overtime. Johnson likely won't be fantasy relevant but should continue to see some chances in passing situations until Etienne is back.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Less involved as No. 2 back Johnson carried once for three yards and caught one of two targets for 20 yards during Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Packers.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Solid in No. 2 role Sunday Johnson rushed nine times for 38 yards and brought in three of four targets for 32 yards in the Jaguars' 32-16 win over the Patriots on Sunday in London.

Impact With Travis Etienne (hamstring) sidelined, both Tank Bigsby and Johnson bumped up a spot on the depth cart for the London matchup. Johnson played a clear second fiddle to his teammate, but he was effective in both his rushing and pass-catching roles. The veteran is a valuable insurance policy for Jacksonville if Etienne misses extended time, and Johnson would be set to reprise his No. 2 role in a Week 8 home matchup against the Packers if the latter remains out.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Role could expand sans Etienne Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson suggested that Johnson is in line to take on a greater role out of the backfield for Sunday's game against the Patriots in London Travis Etienne (h...

Impact With Etienne set to miss his first game of the season, the Jaguars will keep Johnson, Bigsby and practice-squad call-up Jake Funk active as their three running backs for Week 7. After Etienne exited the Jaguars' Week 6 loss to the Bears after playing just 11 snaps, Johnson (34 snaps) finished with far more playing time than Bigsby (16 snaps), but a negative game script and Johnson's standing as Jacksonville's preferred option on passing downs was likely a significant factor. Though Johnson should still rank as the clear choice ahead of Bigsby on third downs and obvious passing situations, expect Bigsby to serve as the Jaguars' lead runner in Etienne's absence this week. Bigsby is averaging an impressive 7.2 yards per carry on 41 totes this season, though Johnson has been competent in his opportunities on the ground as well (16 carries for 67 yards). Johnson's fantasy utility for Week 7 will likely be mostly limited to deeper PPR leagues.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Team-high yardage total in loss Johnson rushed six times for 28 yards and brought in both targets for 16 yards in the Jaguars' 35-16 loss to the Bears on Sunday in London.

Impact With Travis Etienne exiting the game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury, Johnson and Tank Bigsby helmed the ground game for the bulk of the second half. Johnson finished with a team-high rushing yardage total despite logging one fewer carry than Bigsby, and the former was also the only one of the two to be targeted in the passing game. The Jaguars are back in action next Sunday in London against the Patriots, and given the uncertain nature of soft-tissue injuries, it's certainly possible Johnson and Bigsby could be sharing backfield duties once more versus New England.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Three touches Week 5 Johnson rushed once for one yard and caught two of three targets for nine yards during Sunday's 37-34 win against the Colts.

Impact Jacksonville split playing time in the backfield fairly evenly, as Johnson played 13 offensive snaps compared to 23 for Tank Bigsby and 22 for Travis Etienne. Bigsby has taken hold of a larger role as the season has progressed, with he and Etienne now appearing to be in a timeshare. Johnson remains locked in as the No. 3 tailback and likely won't have a significant role if the other two can stay healthy.

OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Non-factor in loss Johnson rushed two times for zero yards in Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Texans.

Impact Johnson played 12 of the Jaguars 58 offensive snaps in the contest, behind both Travis Etienne (30) and Tank Bigsby (17). With such limited playing time and touches, the 28-year-old does not hold much fantasy value as the Jaguars third-string running back. Johnson and the Jaguars will square off against the Colts in Week 5.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Two carries in Week 3 Johnson rushed twice for 12 yards in Monday's 47-10 loss to the Bills.

Impact Johnson played 12 of the Jaguars 71 offensive snaps in the contest, behind Travis Etienne (49) and ahead of Tank Bigsby (9). Like the entire Jaguars offense, the veteran running back was unable to produce much with his opportunities. Johnson should remain far off the fantasy radar barring injuries going forward. The Jaguars will visit the Texans in Week 4.

SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

More involved Week 2 Johnson carried five times for 26 yards during Sunday's 18-13 loss to the Browns.

Impact The 28-year-old didn't play a snap during the season opener, but he operated as Jacksonville's No. 2 tailback during Sunday's contest. Tank Bigsby filled that role Week 1 but suffered a shoulder injury against Cleveland, though he was able to return to the contest. Johnson was the only Jacksonville tailback besides starter Travis Etienne to play any offensive snaps, and it's unclear how much of a role Bigsby's injury played in the backfield hierarchy. Johnson's playing time and production against the Browns should be the expectation if he retains the No. 2 job, so there's limited fantasy appeal while Etienne remains healthy.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

No snaps Week 1 Johnson was active but didn't play any snaps during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Dolphins.

Impact The 28-year-old saw the field in all 17 games last season, but he was limited to bench duty in the 2024 season opener as No. 2 tailback Tank Bigsby played 32 percent of the offensive snaps. Johnson isn't likely see much playing time while Bigsby and starter Travis Etienne remain healthy.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

No snaps Week 1 Johnson was active but didn't play any snaps during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Dolphins.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Minor role in Saturday's exhibition Johnson carried three times for 12 yards and caught his lone target for nine yards during Saturday's preseason game against the Buccaneers.

Impact The 28-year-old re-signed with Jacksonville on a one-year deal in the spring and has eight carries for 43 yards and two receptions for 32 yards through two preseason games. Starter Travis Etienne sat out Saturday's contest, and Tank Bigsby instead started the game and appears to be the favorite for the backup job. Johnson totaled 41 carries for 108 yards and 10 receptions for 140 yards last season, and he's unlikely to be more involved in 2024, if he even makes the season-opening roster.

AUGUST 19 • ROTOWIRE

Minimal role Week 16 Johnson rushed once for two yards during Sunday's 30-12 loss to the Buccaneers.

Impact Jacksonville fell behind early and rushed the ball 13 times in the blowout defeat, with just seven of those carries going to running backs. Johnson has a solid grip on the No. 2 tailback job but isn't likely to be major factor in the offense down the stretch with starter Travis Etienne healthy.

DECEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Limited at practice Johnson (knee) was a limited participant at the Jaguars' practice Wednesday, Mia O'Brien of 1010 XL 92.5 FM Jacksonville reports.

Impact Johnson was able to play through his knee injury in Week 14 versus the Browns, so his ability to practice in any capacity Wednesday seems to suggest that he didn't suffer an setbacks. He'll look to increase his workload at one of the team's two remaining sessions ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Ravens.

DECEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets chance in Jacksonville Johnson agreed Wednesday with the Jaguars on a one-year contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Johnson is coming off a quiet 2022 campaign with the Browns, but he flashed in limited opportunities back in 2021, when he handled 100 carries for 534 yards and three scores. The 27-year-old could now get a chance to complete for with the likes of JaMycal Hasty and Snoop Conner for complementary work behind No. 1 running back Travis Etienne, making him an interesting end-of-roster flier in dynasty or best-ball formats.

MARCH 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Quietly heads to free agency Johnson played 10 snaps on special teams and did not play on offense in Sunday's 28-14 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 18.

Impact Johnson finished the year with just seven touches -- four rushes and three receptions -- and heads quietly into the offseason. It was a different tale last season, after Johnson capably filled in for injured backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, rushing 100 times for 534 yards and three touchdowns. There's very little mileage on Johnson, who turns 27 in February. The Browns are expected to go with Jerome Ford as the top backup to Chubb, and Johnson likely feels ready for a bigger role than he had in 2022. Both he and Kareem Hunt are in the final year of their deals and will entertain offers from other teams.

JANUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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