RADIO
Sometimes in sports it takes the injury of one player to pave the way for the opportunity of the next player to shine. Rookie running backs David Johnson and Thomas Rawls are taking full advantage of injuries to their teams' respective starting running backs and will continue to dominate in their new roles.
David Johnson has been somewhat of a wild card all year playing second and even third fiddle to teammates Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington. Johnson has looked very impressive in the complementary role, tallying eight total touchdowns (including a kick-return TD). While it looked like we might have to wait until 2016 to see Johnson get an expanded workload, injuries to both CJ2K and Ellington have opened up a huge door for David Johnson to step right through.
In his first start, Johnson carried the ball 22 times for 99 yards and caught two passes for 21 yards a touchdown. He is quick and aggressive, and Coach Bruce Arians will continue to call his number and feed him the rock in abundance. Johnson should be considered a RB1 in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings and going forward.
Another player making the most of his opportunities is Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls. Rawls, who took over for the injured Marshawn Lynch, put up his own Beast Mode-like numbers in the past three games, averaging 23.3 carries, 130.3 yards and one touchdown per game. That doesn’t include receiving yardage and the one receiving touchdown he also scored. The Seahawks offense has continued to pick up steam, and Rawls should continue to improve with it. He should also be a no-brainer RB1 Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens and beyond.
