D'Ernest Johnson

D'Ernest Johnson Capitalizes On Opportunity

Cleveland Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson was leaned on heavily with the Browns resting several starters; he had 25 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. In games in which Johnson was given more than 10 carries, he scored more than 20 full-PPR points in each performance. Simply put: when he starts, Johnson is elite. However, the star has a bit of a roadblock to being the Browns' starter, as indicated by his mere three games of over 10 carries. With Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt both firmly ahead of him on the depth chart, Johnson's value greatly decreases. However, in 2022, Johnson should still be rostered in all leagues since his value is so significant when he finds himself as the starter. In Dynasty, fantasy managers should consider buying low on Johnson. He's a restricted free agent this offseason, so he'll probably stay put in Cleveland, but in 2023, he may find himself in a terrific situation as an RB1.

Jan 9 · Source via Browns D'Ernest Johnson

D'Ernest Johnson Activated From COVID-19 List

The Cleveland Browns activated running back D'Ernest Johnson from the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday and placed cornerback Denzel Ward on the list in a corresponding move. Ward will be out for the Week 18 regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, while Johnson will be available. How much work Johnson sees on Sunday will depend on whether Kareem Hunt (ankle), who is listed as questionable, is able to play. But even if Hunt is inactive yet again, Johnson may not see enough of a role to matter in fantasy, as he saw only six touches for 14 yards in last Monday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jan 8 · Source via Browns D'Ernest Johnson

D'Ernest Johnson Goes On COVID-19 List

Cleveland Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday after he tested positive for the virus. Johnson is vaccinated and will have a chance to clear the league's COVID protocols before the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. The 25-year-old looked fresh and was impressive in two starts this year when Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were sidelined, but outside of those two games he hasn't seen more than five carries in a single game when Chubb has been active. There's a chance that Hunt could return from an ankle injury in the season finale, too, so Johnson would be relegated to No. 3 duties in that scenario if he clears COVID protocols.

Jan 4 · Source via Browns D'Ernest Johnson

D'Ernest Johnson Catches Four Balls In Week 15

Cleveland Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson carried the ball once for a two-yard loss and added four receptions for 17 yards in a 16-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15. Johnson operated well behind starter Nick Chubb, who saw 23 carries in the loss on Monday evening. The veteran tailback has seen light workloads over the past few games, despite the fact that Kareem Hunt has been sidelined by an ankle injury. Johnson will not be a recommended fantasy option for Week 16's matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Dec 20 · Source via Browns D'Ernest Johnson

D'Ernest Johnson - Week 15 Outlook for Fantasy Football

Cleveland Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson will take on the Las Vegas Raiders at home in Week 15. With the Week 14 ankle injury suffered by Kareem Hunt, Johnson will slide back into the No. 2 running back role behind Nick Chubb for the Saturday afternoon contest. While Chubb can be expected to see the majority of the touches, Cleveland will probably deploy a run-heavy offensive gameplan, partially due to the fact they are likely to start Nick Mullins at quarterback thanks to Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum both testing positive for COVID-19 this week. Johnson has shown fantasy upside in the past and can be used as a low-end flex option against a Raiders defense that is allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs in 2021.

Dec 16 · Source via Browns D'Ernest Johnson

D'Ernest Johnson Sees Five Touches

Cleveland Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson carried the ball four times for 22 yards and added a seven-yard reception in a 24-22 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. Johnson was pressed into service after Kareem Hunt injured his ankle in the second quarter and did not return to the contest. Fantasy gamers will want to keep an eye on Hunt's practice participation this upcoming week as Johnson would be a priority waiver add if Hunt were unable to suit up against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15.

Dec 12 · Source via Browns D'Ernest Johnson

D'Ernest Johnson Rushes For 99 Yards

Cleveland Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson carried the ball 19 times for 99 yards and added seven receptions for 58 yards in a 45-7 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 10. Johnson led Cleveland in rushing and receiving on an afternoon where the offense struggled to move the ball. The veteran running back continues to flash whenever he gets the chance to start for Cleveland, having rolled up 245 rushing yards, one touchdown, nine receptions, and 80 receiving yards in his two starts. Nick Chubb (COVID-19) has a chance to be activated off of the COVID-19 reserve list ahead of Week 11 but fantasy gamers should hold onto Johnson just in case. Cleveland will take on the Detroit Lions next week.

Nov 14 · Source via Browns D'Ernest Johnson

D'Ernest Johnson - Week 10 Outlook for Fantasy Football

Cleveland Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson will operate as the team's starting back following Friday's news that Nick Chubb (COVID-19) will not play against the New England Patriots in Week 10. Johnson looked good the last time he drew a start for Cleveland, running for 146 yards and a touchdown in Week 7. The Patriots have been a neutral matchup for opposing running backs in fantasy, allowing the 16th-fewest points per game to the position. Fantasy gamers can start Johnson as a high-end RB2 in Week 10's road matchup in New England.

Nov 12 · Source via Browns D'Ernest Johnson

D'Ernest Johnson Gains 16 Yards On Eight Carries

Cleveland Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson turned in a quiet afternoon in a 41-16 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9. Johnson picked up just 16 yards on eight carries and was not targeted in the passing game. The veteran back has come crashing back to earth after an excellent performance against the Denver Broncos in Week 7, having totaled just 38 rushing yards and a touchdown over his past two games. The good news is that Johnson will continue to be involved as a change of pace option behind Nick Chubb for as long as Kareem Hunt is on injured reserve. The Browns will face the New England Patriots on the road in Week 10.

Nov 7 · Source via Browns D'Ernest Johnson

D'Ernest Johnson - Week 9 Outlook for Fantasy Football

Cleveland Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson stayed active in the game plan in Week 8 despite the return of Nick Chubb. Even with Chubb back in the fold, Johnson operated as the pass-catching back in the Cleveland offense, playing 30.5% of the snaps and seeing five touches. It appears that Cleveland will continue to pull Chubb off of the field in passing situations, putting Johnson on the map as a decent flex in PPR leagues moving forward. The Browns will face off against the Cincinnati Bengals on the road in Week 9 and they could need to lean on Johnson in the passing attack if the Bengals' explosive offense is able to put pressure on Cleveland to keep up on the scoreboard. Treat Johnson as a solid flex option or RB3 in Week 9.

Nov 4 · Source via Browns D'Ernest Johnson

D'Ernest Johnson - Week 8 Outlook for Fantasy Football

Cleveland Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson broke out with a huge 146-yard, one-touchdown performance for his team in Week 7. Johnson was pushed into a starting role with Nick Chubb sidelined by a calf injury, but it appears that Chubb will be able to return to the field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8. If that does happen, Johnson will return to a backup role and most likely only operate as a breather back for the Browns against Pittsburgh. Provided Chubb doesn't experience any setbacks and does take the field in Week 8, Johnson will be nothing more than a low-end flex option in Week 8.

Oct 28 · Source via Browns D'Ernest Johnson

D'Ernest Johnson Rolls Up 146 Yards, TD In Week 7

Cleveland Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson turned in an excellent performance in a 17-14 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 7's Thursday night game. Johnson carried the ball 22 times for 146 yards and a touchdown while adding 22 yards on two catches in the win. The veteran back found the end zone on a four-yard run to cap off his team's first drive of the game. Johnson showed nice burst, agility, and power while running around and through attempted tackles in the win on Thursday evening. The Browns could be getting Nick Chubb (calf) back ahead of their Week 8 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers but Johnson should remain in the mix with Kareem Hunt (calf) still on the injured reserve list. Either way, Johnson needs to be rostered in all leagues moving forward.

Oct 22 · Source via Browns D'Ernest Johnson