David Johnson News

Johnson recorded a season high in total yards as the Saints' offense posted yet another unremarkable outing. He also played just one more offensive snap than fellow backup running back Eno Benjamin (six). Over five games with New Orleans in 2022, Johnson recorded 12 carries for 24 yards and four receptions (on four targets) for 47 yards. These are by far the lowest marks of the 31-year-old's career outside of the 2017 season when suffered a season-ending wrist injury Week 1. Johnson first joined up with New Orleans via the practice squad in mid-November, and he was eventually signed to the active roster after No. 2 Mark Ingram sustained a season-ending MCL tear in early December. With both of these aging veterans set to hit free agency, it's unlikely that either of them will factor into the Saints' future at running back moving forward.

Johnson's workload bumped up in the Saints' ground-and-pound offensive game plan Week 16. He also caught a pass over the middle on third down to keep New Orleans' second drive of the game going. However, the No. 2 running back still finished third in rushing attempts, as versatile quarterback Taysom Hill (nine) and Alvin Kamara (20) led the team's option rushing attack. With third-string running back Eno Benjamin exclusively filling in on special teams during the absence of Dwayne Washington (illness), fullback Adam Prentice was the only other New Orleans back to record any carries with two. Johnson should continue to see the bulk of the limited carries at running back behind Kamara in Week 17 versus Philadelphia.

Johnson got off to a solid start in his first outing as the Saints' new No. 2 running back, logging four carries in the first quarter and a half. But, he gave up the team's lone turnover of the game when he fumbled in the red zone during the second quarter. While Johnson did not see a carry for the remainder of the contest, he was still the only running back to log any offensive snaps (18) other than starter Alvin Kamara (34), as Eno Benjamin (coach's decision) and Dwayne Washington (illness) were both ruled inactive pregame. Johnson's usage prior to this turnover is an encouraging sign for his role moving forward, though it's possible this mistake could cost him snaps when Benjamin and/or Washington are active moving forward.

With Eno Benjamin (coach's decision) and Dwayne Washington (illness) inactive for the contest and with Mark Ingram (knee) on injured reserve, the Saints won't have any true running backs available this week beyond Kamara and Johnson. Even though Johnson is seemingly well positioned to fill Ingram's change-of-pace role behind Kamara, that doesn't necessarily mean that Johnson will enter the backfield whenever Kamara leaves the field. The Saints will have a fullback (Adam Prentice) active for the game that they can turn to in pass protection, and jack-of-all-trades tight end/quarterback Taysom Hill is also likely to get a few carries behind Kamara.

Johnson was elevated from the practice squad for Week 11 and rushed once for negative four yards and caught his only target for 11 yards across 10 offensive snaps. Mark Ingram is expected to miss at least a month after tearing his MCL during the Saints' Week 13 loss to Tampa Bay, so in his absence, Johnson figures to provide depth behind Alvin Kamara and Dwayne Washington.

Johnson was elevated at the first possible opportunity after signing with New Orleans' practice squad Wednesday, hauling in his lone reception for 11 yards and rushing once for a four-yard loss Week 11. The veteran running back also played 10 of the team's 57 offensive snaps, slotting in behind Alvin Kamara (40) and ahead of special teamer Dwayne Washington (six). Johnson should stand to see similar usage if No. 2 running back Mark Ingram (knee) remains out Week 12 against San Francisco.