Today’s practice squad moves from around the NFL:
The Cardinals have learned that star running back Chris Johnson suffered a fractured tibia on Sunday, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Johnson will be be out for an extended period of time, but it’s not immediately clear exactly how long he will be sidelined. As Arizona looks ahead to Week 13, one has to imagine that Johnson’s regular season could be over and that could spill over into postseason territory as well.
Early reports on Sunday indicated that suffered a left knee injury, but it turns out that his injury happened below the knee. So far in 2015, the 30-year-old has enjoyed a resurgence that few imagined could be possible over the offseason. In 11 games (9 starts) for the Cards, Johnson has rushed for 814 yards and three scores off of 196 carries.
Last season for the Jets, Johnson ran for just 663 yards, the first time in his career he recorded fewer than 1,000 yards in a season. However, he averaged a respectable 4.3 yards per carry for Gang Green in 2014. Meanwhile, the ground game was a weak spot in Arizona last season, as the team’s leading rusher, Andre Ellington, totaled just 660 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.
In October, the Cardinals went on record saying that they would look into an extension for CJ2K.
Suffered multiple fractured ribs in Week 12 loss to Jets
Dolphins WR Rishard Matthews suffered multiple fractured ribs yesterday against the Jets. No clear timetable for his return. (Rand Getlin on Twitter)
Nerdy Football Analysis: Matthews has evolved into a solid No. 2 receiver in Miami behind Jarvis Landry, but the timing of this injury is bad for the free-agent-to-be. The Dolphins just fired OC Bill Lazor on Monday and have little left to play for this season, which should open the door for the team to see what it has in first-round pick DeVante Parker. As a result, the rookie is worth an add in all fantasy leagues this week.
Timetable for return unknown
Tough blow for Cardinals: Chris Johnson has fractured tibia, out extended period of time but team still gathering how long this shelves him. (Jay Glazer on Twitter)
Nerdy Football Analysis: Initial reports suggested Johnson was dealing with a knee bruise, so the combination of this report and Andre Ellington’s turf toe means David Johnson could become a potential second-half fantasy stud. In the off-chance David Johnson was dropped after his scoring flurry earlier this season, now is the time to be picking him up. The rookie has eight all-purpose touchdowns on 76 touches as a runner, receiver or returner.
Denver QB debate may not be addressed for several weeks
Per @mortreport, Peyton Manning not expected to be healthy “anytime soon.” Maybe a month from a real Manning-Osweiler decision. (Kevin Seifert on Twitter)
Nerdy Football Analysis: Earlier reports on Monday suggested Manning will be allowed to remove his walking boot before the end of the week, so it would seem he could be back by Week 14 in an emergency situation. With that said, it is quickly looking as if Brock Osweiler is simply a better fit for HC Gary Kubiak’s offense than Manning. Denver has rushed for at least 170 yards in each of Osweiler’s first two starts after averaging 86 over its first nine games.