Texans vs. Browns: David Johnson out for Sunday is big loss

The Houston Texans keep having back luck as David Johnson is out for Sunday.

Not much has gone the way of the Houston Texans this season, and now they will be without starting running back David Johnson as he’s been officially ruled out for Sunday’s game with the Cleveland Browns due to a concussion.

Johnson suffered the concussion last Sunday when the Texans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars for their second win of the season. This is Johnson’s first year with Houston, as he was traded from the Arizona Cardinals in the infamous trade that involved All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins this past offseason.

Johnson has been working on rebuilding his career this season after a couple forgettable final seasons in Arizona, which led to his benching and the eventual trade to the Houston Texans. As for his numbers in 2020 — and let it also be stated he hasn’t been used to the best of his abilities this season due to a few big-time changes to those running the offense — Johnson has collected 408 yards on 103 rushes, averaging 4.0 yards per carry. Even though those aren’t the best numbers in eight games played, he does also have three touchdowns, and to his defense Johnson has yet to have 20 or more carries in a game thus far in 2020.

David Johnson also has yet to have a 100-yard rushing game in 2020, and his best game was in Week 5 in the first game against the Jaguars where on 17 carries he rushed for 96 yards. Other than that game, the closest Johnson had been to a 100-yard game was back in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he rushed for 77 yards on 11 carries, which was his best yards per carry average of the season at 7.0.

Even without the best numbers, David Johnson is by far the best option at running back for the Texans in Week 10 against the Cleveland Browns, but with the official ruling-out of him on Sunday that won’t happen, and it will be a big loss for Deshaun Watson and the rest of the offense.

Johnson has played in 71 percent of the offensive snaps this season, and last Sunday he suffered the concussion after having just two carries in the game. Johnson will be missed for this game, but now it is time for others to finally step up and make their mark on the roster during games.

Houston Texans News: Time for Duke Johnson, others to make their mark

This will be a homecoming of sorts for Duke Johnson because he spent the first four seasons of his career with the Cleveland Browns, where he made 10 starts in those four seasons. Duke Johnson this season — his second with the Houston Texans — has him with 34 rushes in six games with no starts for 95 yards rushing and one touchdown. Johnson has also caught 14 passes in 2020 for 109 yards with no touchdowns.

Besides having Duke Johnson, the Texans also have Buddy Howell on their depth chart at running back. There is also Scottie Phillips on the organization as well.

Since the Texans are 2-6 overall and with very bleak playoff hopes as they’ve only been able to defeat the Jaguars this season, the Houston Texans would be better off seeing if not only Duke Johnson can carry the load against Cleveland, but give the rest of the running backs an opportunity against a solid defense like Cleveland.

The Texans need to start thinking and playing to see who they want on the roster in 2021, but also in the process stay competitive and work to make life tough on their opponents.

All in all, not having David Johnson is a big loss for the Texans, but they aren’t in contention for any playoff spot, and they need to work on the current rebuild and see what needs improvement moving forward.