D'ERNEST JOHNSON NEWS

Makes special teams impact Johnson averaged 31 yards on three kickoff returns in Sunday's 27-25 win over Jacksonville.

Impact Johnson, who played three snaps as a running back, has fallen off the offensive radar since Nick Chubb returned from a knee injury, but he's resurfaced as the Browns' primary kick returner. He had 43-yard and 32-yard returns that put the Browns in position to respond to Jacksonville scores with their own points. As long as Chubb and Kareem Hunt stay healthy, Johnson will have to make contributions on special teams.

NOVEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Little use on offense Johnson played one snap on offense and five special-team snaps in Sunday's 22-17 win over the Eagles.

Impact While the Browns have become a run-dominant team, all the attention goes to Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Johnson's played one offensive snap since Chubb's return to the active roster Week 10. Johnson did lead the team in kickoff returns Sunday, getting two chances (40 yards) while rookie Donovan Peoples-Jones had one (30 yards).

NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No carries with Nick Chubb's return Johnson garnered zero offensive snaps and five special-teams snaps during Sunday's 10-7 win against the Texans.

Impact With Nick Chubb returning from a knee injury that had held him out since Oct. 4, Johnson was relegated to a special-teams role. Johnson's involvement in the offense had been fading in recent appearances, as he only accumulated 51 scrimmage yards on 17 combined offensive touches Weeks 5 through 10, after racking up 95 yards on 13 carries in the game in which Chubb went down against the Cowboys in Week 4. Heading into a matchup against the Eagles, Johnson sits a distant third on Cleveland's RB depth chart behind Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

NOVEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Three touches in loss Johnson carried twice for six yards and caught his lone target for five yards in Sunday's 16-6 loss to the Raiders.

Impact Johnson's had a total of 17 touches in the four games since a breakout performance in the Week 4 win over Dallas. With a bye week looming and Nick Chubb (knee) eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 10, the loss to Las Vegas may have signified the window shutting on Johnson's offensive relevance.

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

One touch in win Johnson had one carry for three yards and was not targeted in Sunday's 37-34 win over the Bengals.

Impact Since a 95-yard outburst in Week 4's win over the Cowboys, Johnson's had fewer touches in each successive week. He's gone from 13 touches to nine to four and now one as Kareem Hunt demonstrates he can handle a hefty workload. Johnson's window of opportunity is likely closing soon -- the Browns are at home Week 8 against Las Vegas before a bye week, and Nick Chubb (knee) is expected to return soon after that, which will relegate Johnson to No. 3 on the depth chart.

OCTOBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No room, little role in Week 6 loss Johnson carried four times for one yard and was targeted once in Sunday's 38-7 loss to Pittsburgh.

Impact Johnson and the rest of the running backs had few holes to hit and were of little need in Sunday's blowout. With Nick Chubb (knee) sidelined and Kareem Hunt (3.4 YPC) bottled up the last two games, there's opportunity for Johnson or Dontrell Hilliard to claim a larger role next week against the Bengals, who allow 142.3 rushing yards per game.

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Injuries to Leonard, Castonzo keep Colts out of sync in loss

The Indianapolis Colts missed Pro Bowl linebacker Darius Leonard on Sunday

OCTOBER 12, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

October surprise: Browns are 4-1, looking like contenders

The Browns are an October surprise

OCTOBER 12, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Modest production in win Johnson had eight carries for 32 yards and caught his lone target for four yards in Sunday's 32-23 win over the Colts.

Impact Twenty-eight of Johnson's 32 yards came on one carry, but it was at an important time. The Browns were nursing a one-score lead and faced a third down with a little more than two minutes remaining when Johnson's run gave them a first down and put them in position for an eventual insurance field goal. Johnson moved up to second on the depth chart behind Kareem Hunt, as the Browns cope with the loss to Nick Chubb (knee). Coming off a 95-yard effort in Week 4, Johnson had cache heading into Week 5, particularly with Hunt limited at practices leading up to the game. Indianapolis' stout defense against the run -- they entered allowing 77.0 yards per game, fourth in the NFL -- bottled up Cleveland's ground game, which forced more from the passing game.

OCTOBER 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Mayfield throws 2 TDs, Browns hold off Colts to move to 4-1

Baker Mayfield passed for a season-high 247 yards and two touchdowns against the NFL’s No. 1 defense, Myles Garrett forced a crucial safety in the fourth quarter and the Cleveland...

OCTOBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Looking at prime opportunity Johnson could handle a significant role on offense with Nick Chubb (knee) on IR and expected to miss about six weeks, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Johnson worked alongside Kareem Hunt after Chubb was forced out of Cleveland's Week 4 win over the Cowboys, and he impressed while turning 13 carries into 95 yards. Though Kareem Hunt (groin) is the clear favorite to lead the Browns' backfield until late November, at which point Chubb could return, it wouldn't be out of the question for Johnson to see somewhere in the range of ten carries a week in one of the league's most potent rushing attacks. Additionally, Johnson would stand to inherit a hugely valuable role if Hunt were to exacerbate his groin injury.

OCTOBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Browns look to further validate start against tough Colts

The Browns are off to their best start since 2001

OCTOBER 8, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Backup plan: Hunt set to carry load for Browns without Chubb

The Browns might be the only NFL team that could lose a star running back and not miss a beat

OCTOBER 7, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Week 5 Waiver Wire 2020: Fantasy Football Pickups You Need to Add Week 4 wasn't nearly as devastating as Week 2, but there were still some significant injuries and performances that could really impact the...

OCTOBER 5, 2020 • FANDUEL.COM

Chubb's knee injury will test Browns' depth, legitimacy

Running back Nick Chubb's knee injury has threatened to slow the Cleveland Browns' strong start

OCTOBER 5, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

NFL Today, Week 4

NFL Today, Week 4

OCTOBER 5, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mayfield, Garrett right at home as Browns beat Cowboys 49-38

Baker Mayfield and Myles Garrett enjoyed a happy homecoming in Cleveland's 49-38 win over Dallas

OCTOBER 4, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Runs for 95 yards Johnson carried 13 times for 95 yards during Sunday's 49-38 win over the Cowboys.

Impact Johnson got involved in the offense after Nick Chubb (knee) left with an injury and gashed the Dallas defense for 7.3 yards per carry. His long gain went for 28 yards and he impressively finished with more carries than Kareem Hunt, who found the end zone twice on the day. Chubb was able to walk off under his own power, but the extent of his injury remains to be seen. If he is forced to sit out next Sunday's matchup with the Colts, Johnson could receive a healthy workload as a complementary option to Hunt.

OCTOBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Fills in as returner Johnson entered Sunday's game as the primary returner after JoJo Natson left in the second quarter due to a knee injury.

Impact Johnson gained zero yards on one punt return in the third quarter. He's played just three percent of the offensive snaps in 2020, so any contributions Johnson can make are likely on special teams.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Wins roster spot Johnson made the Browns' 53-man roster, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Impact Johnson slots in at third on the depth chart behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. He beat out Dontrell Hilliard, who could return as a member of the practice squad. Johnson also has experience as a kick returner. He had four carries and seven targets in 16 games last season.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE