The Dolphins are signing running back Duke Johnson to the practice squad (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). Johnson has yet to play in 2021 and this marks his first deal since the start of the season.
Johnson, 28, auditioned for the 49ers, Panthers, and Saints this fall but did not sign with any of those clubs. The Saints workout went down about three weeks ago when he showed his stuff alongside Lamar Miller, Duke Johnson, Brian Hill, Ito Smith, and Ryquell Armstead.
Johnson has excelled as a passing-down back, eclipsing 400 receiving yards in each of his first five NFL seasons. He was once a focal point of the Browns offense and even signed an extension in 2018, but the addition of Kareem Hunt pushed him down the pecking order. He went on to enjoy a productive 2019 with the Texans, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and totaling 820 scrimmage yards. Last year, however, he was limited to just eleven games, 235 rushing yards, and 28 catches for 249 yards.
After losing Malcolm Brown to a quad injury, the Dolphins’ RB group currently consists of Myles Gaskin, Malcolm Brown, and Salvon Ahmed. Johnson will serve as extra insurance until Brown is able to return.
The DUKE is Coming !!
That’s about the size of it, Kid !!
Just what the Dolphins need, another scatback/3rd down back.
I’m honestly surprised that Johnson hasn’t stuck somewhere yet. Has he really taken that far a step back?
I was wondering the same thing. Maybe he hasn’t been healthy.
It’s really a shame that Duke got to the NFL and was relegated to be only receiving back with the Browns for years. It’s like Cleveland tried to make him into a Sproles, D.Lewis type of back despite Duke Johnson showing the ability to be a lead back in college.
I was hoping the Ravens would have picked up but they chose D.Freeman who looks over the hill.
The very definition of “win now mode”.
Ah, the Duke, Duke Johnson.