Arizona Cardinals News: Chris Johnson Placed on IR with Fractured Tibia
The Arizona Cardinals will do everything to reach this season's Super Bowl; after all, that might be the only time they'll be able to retain the services of running back Chris Johnson.
Johnson was placed by the team on injured reserve with a designation to return after suffering a fractured tibia in his left leg in a game against the San Francisco 49ers in Levi Stadium, which the Cardinals won, 19-13. The report of the injury was revealed on Tuesday.
Based on the timetable provided by team officials, the 30-year-old veteran will only be able to play after eight weeks, and by the looks of it, that only means that the Cardinals are already gearing up for Super Bowl 50, only if they are to qualify, though. The team also announced that Johnson is expected to return to practice in six weeks' time.
The running back is playing great football this season, tallying 814 yards in rushing and could have easily reached 1,000, something that he never got to since two years ago. His output so far is actually the league's fourth highest total.
To offset Johnson's loss, the Cardinals signed cornerback Corey White, released another cornerback, Robert Nelson, and promoted running back Kerwynn Williams to regular rotation from the practice squad.
The injury to Johnson was thought to have been a bruised knee, according to Coach Bruce Arians. However, it was later revealed after MRI results came in that it was far worse than what was initially thought.
Johnson's decision to sign with Arizona came in as a wise move both for him and the team. The one-year deal worth the veteran's minimum wasn't that big of a risk for the Cardinals who are signing a player who got into trouble in March when he was shot in a van in Florida. One of his companions inside the van was killed, while he remains to have one bullet embedded in his shoulder.
While most teams didn't want to take the gamble with Johnson's off-field issues, it certainly looked like the Cardinals won this one. The only problem now is how long will the running back be sidelined.
