Chris Johnson re-signs with Cardinals with David Johnson headed to IR

The Cardinals are in a bind with David Johnson out for up to three months to recover from surgery to repair a dislocated wrist. There aren’t any available running backs who can replicate Johnson’s production in 2016. But the team will try to fill that void by bringing back Chris Johnson, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

What can we expect from Johnson? David Johnson is a huge part of the Cardinals’ offense. He had over 2,000 yards from scrimmage last year, and he had 20 total touchdowns. Don’t expect that from Chris Johnson.

Chris Johnson played in four games for Arizona last season before landing on injured reserve with a groin injury. He had 25 carries for 95 yards. But the previous season was much better. Johnson played in 11 games and finished with 814 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged over 17 carries per game, and since the Cardinals will probably use a running back-by-committee approach, he should be able to handle that.

Who else is on the roster? The Cardinals have Kerwynn Williams, who managed just 10 yards on five carries in Week 1 against the Lions. But Williams has flashed some potential. He averaged over eight yards per carry last season with 157 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.

Arizona also has Andre Ellington, who is a decent receiver and can help pick up some of the slack there. Elijhaa Penny and D.J. Foster, who was acquired by the Cardinals off of the Patriots’ practice squad, round out the depth chart.

Johnson is 31 years old, and he’s not the player he once was. He’s probably not going to rack up 2,000 yards for Arizona like he did for the Titans in 2009, but he’s also likely a better option than Williams, the next guy on the depth chart.