DUKE JOHNSON NEWS

Not playing Week 17 Johnson (neck) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans.

Impact Johnson had been listed as questionable after practicing in a limited capacity all week, but the Texans ultimately weren't comfortable signing off on his return to the lineup. With Johnson concluding the season with a third consecutive absence, lead back David Johnson should be in store for a clear three-down role. Duke Johnson wraps up his 2020 campaign with 235 yards and a touchdown on 77 carries (3.1 yards-per-carry average) to go with 28 receptions for 249 yards and another score.

JANUARY 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Patrick Mahomes watching Chiefs' finale against Chargers

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is inactive for their meaningless regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers

JANUARY 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Questionable for Week 17 Johnson (neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans.

Impact Johnson, who last suited up Week 14, logged limited practices this week, which suggests that he has a chance to be active ahead of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. If Johnson suits up, he would likely fill a complementary role behind top back David Johnson.

JANUARY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to full practice Johnson (neck) was limited at practice Wednesday.

Impact Johnson didn't practice at all last week, so this represents an upgrade for the Texans' change-of-pace back. If cleared to play Sunday against the Titans, he'd be in line to reprise his complementary role behind David Johnson.

DECEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Dwayne Haskins starts for Washington despite breaking rules

Dwayne Haskins gets his second consecutive start for Washington with quarterback Alex Smith out again because of a right calf injury

DECEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Missing second consecutive game Johnson (neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest versus the Bengals, Aaron Reiss of The Athletic reports.

Impact Johnson will miss his second game in a row and fourth overall this season. With Johnson sidelined, David Johnson is set to be the Texans' primary running back Week 16. Behind the second Johnson, Buddy Howell is the likely candidate for reps among the four remaining RBs on the active roster.

DECEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Misses practice Wednesday Johnson (neck) didn't practice Wednesday.

Impact That's not the greatest sign with regard to the change-of-pace back's chances of playing Sunday against the Bengals, but his Week 16 availability outlook could brighten with a return to practice Thursday or Friday. In his absence this past Sunday against the Colts, Buddy Howell and Scottie Phillips handled Houston's complementary backfield work behind David Johnson.

DECEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Colts recover another late fumble, beat Texans 27-20

Philip Rivers found Zach Pascal for a tiebreaking TD pass with 1:47 left and the Colts defense recovered a fumble in the end zone with 19 seconds remaining to seal a 27-20 victory...

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Eagles missing 3 starters in secondary against Cardinals

The Eagles are missing three starters in secondary against Arizona

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not playing Sunday Johnson (neck) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Colts.

Impact Johnson and C.J. Prosise (ankle) didn't travel with the team to Indianapolis, which means the short-handed Houston backfield will likely lean heavily on David Johnson, who was just activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, with Buddy Howell and Scottie Phillips as backups.

DECEMBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Week 15 Johnson (neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts after missing practicesThursday and Friday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Impact C.J. Prosise (ankle) is also questionable, potentially leaving the Texans shorthanded in the backfield this weekend. Though the questionable designation implies Johnson has a 50-50 shot to play Sunday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle relays that interim coach Romeo Crennel said if Johnson didn't practice Friday, he would be unlikely to suit up against the Colts. On the plus side, top back David Johnson was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday and is in line to headline the team's backfield. Buddy Howell would be David's top backup if neither Duke nor Prosise are active for the contest.

DECEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sits out practice Thursday Johnson (neck) didn't practice Thursday.

Impact Johnson logged a limited practice Wednesday, so the downgrade in participation clouds his status for Sunday's game against the Colts. On the plus side for the Texans, David Johnson -- who came off the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday -- practiced fully Thursday. Friday's injury report will reveal whether Duke Johnson heads into the weekend with an injury designation or cleared to play in Week 15. Either way, his fantasy utility has taken a hit, with David Johnson in line to reclaim his role as Houston's lead back.

DECEMBER 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited practice Wednesday Johnson was limited at practice Wednesday due to a neck injury.

Impact Meanwhile, David Johnson came off the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, but didn't participate in practice. If David is able to return to the field Thursday, he would presumably be in line to reclaim his role as the Texans' lead back this weekend against the Colts. In that scenario, Duke would (assuming he suits up) would likely return to a complementary role out of the backfield.

DECEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No. 21 Duke: Johnson out indefinitely with foot injury DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — No. 21 Duke says freshman forward Jalen Johnson is out indefinitely with a foot injury.

DECEMBER 15, 2020 • OLEANTIMESHERALD.COM

No. 21 Duke: Johnson out indefinitely with foot injury No. 21 Duke says freshman forward Jalen Johnson is out indefinitely with a foot injury.

DECEMBER 15, 2020 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM

No. 21 Duke: Johnson out indefinitely with foot injury

No. 21 Duke says freshman forward Jalen Johnson is out indefinitely with a foot injury

DECEMBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shares carries in loss Johnson rushed eight times for 26 yards and secured both of his targets for 53 yards in the Texans' 36-7 loss to the Bears on Sunday.

Impact With David Johnson hitting the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, Duke Johnson appeared set to return to the lead-back role he'd held from the early stages of a Week 9 contest against the Jaguars through Week 12. However, interim coach Romeo Crennel opted to give undrafted third-year pro Buddy Howell more work on the ground than Duke after the latter generated middling results as the No. 1 back earlier in the season. Johnson was able to partly make up for the modest production on the ground with a season-high tally in receiving yardage, thanks in large part to a game-high 48-yard scamper off a screen pass. Even if David Johnson isn't eligible to play in a Week 15 matchup against the Colts, Duke may once again slot into a complementary role alongside Howell, who was serviceable with 11 carries for a team-high 42 yards Sunday.

DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Trubisky outplays Watson, Bears stop skid, beat Texans 36-7

Mitchell Trubisky outplayed Deshaun Watson in their first meeting since they entered the NFL by throwing for three touchdowns and the Chicago Bears snapped a six-game losing streak...

DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Latest: Steelers get AFC berth, Packers clinch NFC North

The Pittsburgh Steelers already have a playoff berth clinched before kicking off against the Buffalo Bills

DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Set to head Week 14 backfield Johnson (illness), who doesn't carry a Week 14 injury designation after practicing fully Friday, is in line to head the Texans backfield Sunday against the Bears, following the pla...

Impact Johnson thus will revert to a lead role this weekend after handling change-of-pace duties in the Texans' Week 13 loss to the Colts. With an uptick in carries on tap Sunday, Johnson now merits attention in standard as well as PPR formats in Week 14 fantasy lineups.

DECEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Logs limited practice Johnson (illness) was limited at practice Thursday.

Impact Per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Johnson is dealing with a non-COVID-19 illness. We'll revisit the running back's status Friday to see if he approaches Sunday's game against the Bears with any degree of uncertainly with regard to his availability for the contest, or alternatively heads into the weekend minus a Week 14 injury designation. With David Johnson back in the mix, Duke Johnson has resumed working in a pass-catching/change-of-pace role for the Texans.

DECEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Makes six catches Johnson carried two times for eight yards and caught all six of his targets for 24 additional yards during Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Colts.

Impact Johnson took a back seat to David Johnson, whose return from a three-game absence led to Duke being hardly utilized in the running game. He remained involved in the air attack, however, as he finished second on the team in receptions and fourth in targets. Johnson should keep a similar workload in next Sunday's matchup with the Bears, but he could lose out on touches if David's workload increases after he was seemingly eased back into the fold this week.

DECEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Likely losing starting role Johnson will likely lose his starting role after David Johnson (concussion) was activated off injured reserve Saturday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact David Johnson will return to the fold after landing on injured reserve due to a concussion. Duke Johnson took over for David quite nicely over the last three games, carrying the ball 33 times for 106 yards while accumulating 63 receiving yards on nine targets and scoring one touchdown, but he'll now likely fall back to his change-of-pace role. It's possible given Duke Johnson's receiving acumen the Texans could even use him as a pseudo wide receiver after Will Fuller was suspended for the rest of the season, but it's difficult to really guess how the team will operate its meager receiving group.

DECEMBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Watson's play helps Texans to first winning streak of season

Deshaun Watson’s stellar play has given the Houston Texans their first winning streak of the season

NOVEMBER 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Early turnovers just the start of dismal loss for Lions

The latest debacle for the Detroit Lions began early in their Thanksgiving matchup with Houston, when they turned the ball over three times in a span of eight offensive plays

NOVEMBER 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS