Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Healthy scratch for Week 13
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Johnson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Texans.
Coming out of a Week 12 bye, the Jaguars are back to full strength in the backfield with Travis Etienne further removed from the hamstring injury that sidelined him for Weeks 7 and 8 and with Tank Bigsby back in action after missing the Week 11 loss to the Lions with an ankle injury. Rookie fifth-round pick Keilan Robinson is also ready to make his NFL debut after coming off injured reserve Nov. 19, and while he's unlikely to have much of a role on offense behind Etienne and Bigsby, his ability to contribute as a return man will be enough for the Jaguars to keep him active over Johnson as the No. 3 back. Johnson had already seen his role dwindle following Etienne's return to action in Week 9, as Johnson earned just four carries and one target while playing 28 total snaps on offense over the Jaguars' last three games before the bye.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Two touches in blowout loss
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Johnson carried twice for three yards during Sunday's 52-6 loss to the Lions.
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.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Set to play Sunday
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Johnson (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game in Detroit.
Johnson played through a hamstring injury this past Sunday versus the Vikings, but despite fellow RB Tank Bigsby (ankle) departing after 10 snaps and two carries, 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.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Cleared to play Sunday
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Johnson (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Vikings.
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.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Questionable for Week 10
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Johnson (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Vikings.
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 issue Sunday, expect Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby to handle all of the Jaguars' running back duties.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Working through hamstring injury
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Johnson (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Thursday.
Johnson may have picked up the injury 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).
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Week 8 Waiver Priority List
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We'll see if Travis Etienne (hamstring) remains out in Week 8 against the Packers, and if that happens then Johnson can be a flex option in PPR as he plays in tandem with Tank Bigsby. With Etienne out against the Patriots in Week 7, Johnson had nine carries for 38 yards and three catches for 32 yards on four targets as the No. 2 running back behind Bigsby. Keep an eye on Etienne's status, and Johnson is worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Role could expand sans Etienne
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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 due to Travis Etienne (hamstring) set to be inactive for the contest, Steve Wyche of NFL Network reports.
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. When 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.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Non-factor in loss
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Johnson rushed two times for zero yards in Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Texans.
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.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: More involved Week 2
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Johnson carried five times for 26 yards during Sunday's 18-13 loss to the Browns.
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.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: No snaps Week 1
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Johnson was active but didn't play any snaps during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Dolphins.
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.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Finishes season in No. 3 role
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Johnson carried once for minus-one yard versus the Titans in Week 18. He played in all 17 games and had 41 rushes for 108 yards and 10 catches for 140 yards this season.
The 27-year-old opened and closed the campaign as Jacksonville's No. 3 tailback, though he did have a few weeks in the middle of the season where he worked in the No. 2 role ahead of rookie Tank Bigsby. Johnson will become a free agent during the offseason and will likely look for a new home as a backup tailback in 2024.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Two touches Week 15
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Johnson carried twice for five yards and wasn't targeted during Sunday's 23-7 loss against the Ravens.
The 27-year-old played 18 of 62 offensive snaps, but starter Travis Etienne was the only Jacksonville tailback to receive more than two touches. Johnson should continue to have a limited workload down the stretch as Etienne's top backup.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Limited at practice
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Johnson (knee) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.
Johnson was able to play through his knee injury in Jacksonville's Week 14 loss to Cleveland, so his presence on the practice field in any capacity three days later suggests that he avoided any setbacks. He'll look to increase his workload at one of the team's two remaining practice sessions ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Ravens.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Posts 28 yards from scrimmage
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Johnson carried three times for 12 yards and caught two of three targets for 16 yards during Sunday's 31-27 loss against the Browns. He also returned two kickoffs for 34 yards.
The 27-year-old suited up Sunday after being questionable with a knee injury, and he filled his usual role as Travis Etienne's top backup. Johnson eclipsed 40 yards from scrimmage in three straight contests after taking over the No. 2 role Week 10, but his average of 18.5 total yards over the past two games is likely a better representation of his expected production while Etienne is available.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Bothered by knee
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Johnson was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury.
Lead back Travis Etienne (ribs) also was a limited participant, two days after playing through his injury and taking 15 touches for 79 yards and a touchdown while playing 62 percent of snaps on offense in a 34-31 overtime loss to Cincinnati. Johnson had six touches for 10 yards while playing 36 percent of snaps in the loss, and he's likely looking at a similar role this Sunday against the Browns, though the Jaguars may feature their backs more than usual with wideout Christian Kirk (groin) already ruled out and quarterback Trevor Lawrence (ankle) quite possibly sidelined as well. A limited practice to start Week 14 prep suggests Johnson is on track to play, at least.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Five carries Week 13
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Johnson carried five times for four yards and caught his lone target for five yards during Monday's 34-31 loss to Cincinnati.
The 27-year-old once again operated as Jacksonville's No. 2 tailback and played 25 of 69 offensive snaps, though he finished below 40 scrimmage yards for the first time since Week 8. Johnson appears to have a firm grip on the backup job but is nothing more than Travis Etienne insurance for fantasy managers.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Minimal role Week 4
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Johnson had one carry for minus-2 yards during Sunday's 23-7 win over the Falcons in London.
JaMycal Hasty suited up for the first time this season as Jacksonville had all four of its tailbacks active, but starter Travis Etienne still dominated the offensive snaps with an 85 percent share. Johnson has just six carries for eight yards and three catches for 15 yards through the first four weeks of the season.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Five touches in loss
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Johnson rushed three times for six yards while catching both of his targets for six yards in Sunday's 37-17 loss to the Texans.
Johnson's three rushes and two catches were both season-highs through three weeks. Surprisingly, the veteran running back out-snapped top backup Tank Bigsby 12 to nine in the contest. Johnson was unable to produce much with his increased opportunities. Barring an injury to Travis Etienne or Bigbsy, Johnson should remain off the fantasy radar when the Jaguars host the Falcons in Week 4.
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Jaguars' D'Ernest Johnson: Buried on depth chart
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Johnson carried the ball six times for 36 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday's 25-7 preseason win over the Lions. He added two receptions for seven yards.
Johnson finished second on the team with six carries and he was effective, punching in scores from 15 yards and one yard away. However, he was the third back on the field even with Travis Etienne sitting out, and he didn't tally a carry until the second half. Johnson has 11 carries for 67 yards across two contests this preseason, but he appears to be fourth on the depth chart despite his effectiveness.