Chris Johnson Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections
Cardinals released Chris Johnson
Arizona cut Johnson to make room for Adrian Peterson, who they acquired from the Saints on Tuesday. Arizona has had the worst running game in the league with David Johnson sidelined, so they decided to bring in the veteran back for a conditional draft pick. He should jump into a sizable role with Johnson gone considering how poorly the rest of their backs have been on the ground - as a team, they've averaged 2.3 yards per carry or fewer for the past three weeks and haven't topped 51 total rushing yards.Peterson will be an interesting player to follow heading as he could pick up enough volume to become a decent fantasy asset. Andre Ellington will likely man the passing-down role but Peterson should become the primary early-down guy.
Cardinals acquire Adrian Peterson from Saints
Arizona has the worst running game in the league with David Johnson sidelined, so they decided to bring in Peterson from the Saints for a conditional draft pick. Peterson didn't have much of a role in New Orleans and he only managed to play six snaps in his final game with the Saints. He'll have a chance to earn a featured role in Arizona given how poorly Chris Johnson and the rest of their backs have been on the ground - as a team, they've averaged 2.3 yards per carry or fewer for the past three weeks and haven't topped 51 total rushing yards. Peterson will be an interesting player to follow heading as he could pick up enough volume to become a decent fantasy asset. Andre Ellington will likely man the pass-down role but Peterson could become the primary early-down guy. Back in New Orleans, his absence will open up some touches for Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. They'll be taking on a tough rushing defense in Week 6 though; the Lions have limited opponents to the third-fewest rushing yards per game (74.6) and fourth-fewest ypc (3.3), but they have allowed the eighth-most catches to RBs (6.4 per game) which provides some PPR upside. The Lions-Saints game has the highest total of the week at 50.0 points and the Saints are implied to score 27.25, the third-most on the board.
John Brown (quad) ruled out for Week 2
The Cardinals receiver can't seem to stay healthy; a lingering quad issue will keep him sidelined Sunday. Rookie receiver Chad Williams will enter the rotation as the fourth wideout. Guard Mike Iupati and tackle D.J. Humphries have also been ruled out; Alex Boone will start in place of Iupati. John Wetzel entered their first game for Humphries and he's expected to get the nod again. He was very poor, earning an abysmal 28.5 PFF grade. Arizona struggled to run the ball in Week 1, averaging 2.5 yards per carry - even with David Johnson accounting for 11 of those (23 yards). They'll face a Colts defensive line that limited the Rams to 1.9 yards per carry as a team and Todd Gurley to 2.1 ypc on 19 attempts. They were shredded by Jared Goff through the air for 306 yards and a touchdown on a 72.4% completion rate though. Quarterback Carson Palmer may be forced to air it out and he should find success against their poor secondary. Larry Fitzgerald, J.J. Nelson, and Jaron Brown will pick up some extra targets vacated by John Brown and Johnson, who averaged 7.5 per game in 2016. Andre Ellington is expected to be involved as the pass-down back, but he's in a timeshare with starter Kerwynn Williams and Chris Johnson. Even their fourth back, Elijhaa Penny is expected to get some work in the backfield.
Kerwynn Williams confirmed as starting RB for Cardinals in Week 2
As expected, Williams will get the start in place of the injured David Johnson (wrist). Andre Ellington will serve as his backup and should see a decent amount of work on passing downs. Arizona also re-signed Chris Johnson to operate as their third back and brought in D.J. Foster from the Patriots practice squad for depth. They're expected to use a committee approach to replace Johnson against the Colts this weekend, which means we can't expect a very high volume for Williams. In Week 1, he struggled to ten yards on five carries, although he did find paint following Johnson's injury. Although we only have a one game sample, the Colts rush defense was able to stuff Todd Gurley and the Rams on the ground, limiting them to 1.9 yards per carry as a team (Gurley averaged 2.1). At the same time, the Colts pass defense was atrocious, permitting Jared Goff to rack up 306 yards and a touchdown with a 72.4% completion percentage. Palmer may have to air it out to move the ball and he should be successful doing so. The receivers should pick up some of Johnson's targets - he had nine in Week 1 and averaged 7.5 in 2016 - they won't all fall to the backs. It may be best to target Arizona's passing game in fantasy over Williams and Ellington.
Chris Johnson placed on injured reserve (IR)
Chris Johnson suffered a groin injury this past week and has been placed on the injured reserve list by the Cardinals. David Johnson was already the bellcow of this backfield - it'll be Andre Ellington who spells him now.
Arizona RB's day-to-day
The two lead backs for the Arizona Cardinals, Chris Johnson (knee) and Andre Ellington (toe), are scheduled to undergo MRI's today and are at this time considered day-to-day. If one, or either, were to miss this week's game it'd be a big boost for David Johnson. The Cardinals take on the Rams in St. Louis this coming week, so the assignment won't be easy regardless of who is healthy. David Johnson would still be a viable value target if both Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington were to sit, but Stepfan Taylor also may be in line to steal some early down work.