D'Ernest Johnson Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Jaguars HC Doug Pederson said this week that he'd like to limit the 2024 workload for RB Travis Etienne vs. what the starting back got in 2023. Pederson pointed to a D'Ernest Johnson injury and rookie Tank Bigsby's learning curve as two key factors in Etienne's touch total, which ranked third-highest behind Christian McCaffrey and Rachaad White. "It's not the recipe, necessarily, to put Travis in that situation," Pederson said. "So I would consider knocking a few of those reps down to keep him healthy throughout the course of the year." That makes sense. Etienne struggled with efficiency at times in 2023. You'll still find him inside the top 10 in our 2024 RB rankings, though. Johnson is headed for free agency in March. Bigsby obviously remains under contract heading into his second season, and it doesn't sound like the Jags have given up on him yet. "We really like Tank, and he'll have a bigger impact for us this year," Pederson said. We're certainly not betting on strong production from the former third-round pick after he managed just 51 touches and 2.7 yards per touch as a rookie. But consider Pederson's words enough to make Bigsby worth keeping on dynasty benches and considering in the mix of last-round best ball picks.

Jaguars RB Travis Etienne totaled 14 carries for 35 yards and a TD in Week 14 vs. the Browns, adding 4 catches for 37 yards. If you've rostered Etienne all season, you've undoubtedly noticed the dropoff in touch volume over the past several weeks. After averaging 23.3 opportunities per game through Week 8, Etienne has dropped to 17.8 since Jacksonville’s bye in Week 9. A Week 12 rib injury might have factored in the past two games. His 78% snap share against Cleveland, though, marked the RB's most playing time since Week 8. Backup D'Ernest Johnson also saw a slight dip in his playing time: from 40% and 36% the previous two games to 26%. That fell in line with his two games immediately following the bye. Etienne gets tough matchups the next two games, against the Ravens and Bucs, that figure to limit his upside. But touch volume should be in his favor. A nice spot against Carolina awaits in Week 17.

Jaguars RB Travis Etienne (ribs) is officially listed as questionable for Monday night's game vs. the Bengals after a limited week of practice. HC Doug Pederson said Saturday that he expects Etienne to play. It wouldn't be a bad idea for Etienne owners to stash RB D'Ernest Johnson as an insurance policy just in case Etienne winds up inactive.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Jaguars are "optimistic" RB Travis Etienne will play Monday night against the Bengals. We're betting he'll play through the rib injury that has limited his practice participation this week, given that Etienne returned to last week's win over the Texans after sustaining the injury. But the situation adds some risk that Jacksonville lightens his workload, especially if the Jags pull ahead of a Bengals team now playing without QB Joe Burrow. Although RB D'Ernest Johnson could get more touches if Jacksonville limits Etienne, we're not betting on Johnson being a starting option for any but the deepest of leagues. Watch for updates to our Week 13 RB rankings throughout the weekend.

Jaguars RB Travis Etienne suffered a chest injury in the first half of Sunday's game vs. the Texans and is questionable to return. We'll update his status when we know more. Etienne's absence leaves Jacksonville's backfield to D'Ernest Johnson and Tank Bigbsy.

Update: Etienne returned with a little less than five minutes to go in the second quarter.

Jaguars RB Travis Etienne shined as the lone bright spot for this offense in Week 3. The third-year pro compiled 138 total yards across 19 carries and 4 catches vs. the Texans. Etienne continues to face little backfield competition from his teammates Tank Bigsby (2 carries, 10 yards, 1 TD) and D’Ernest Johnson (3 carries, 6 yards) and should figure to have another good game next week vs. the Falcons. It remains to be seen if we can say the same about any of his skill-position teammates. This Jacksonville offense is experiencing major troubles thus far in 2023.

Jaguars RB Travis Etienne handled 15 of 17 team RB opportunities in a Week 2 loss to Kansas City. Rookie Tank Bigbsy didn't see a carry or a target, as D'Ernest Johnson filled in as the RB2. Etienne tallied just 42 total yards, but the usage signals future RB1 lines. Next up is a home date with a Houston squad that allowed Zack Moss to post 18-88-1 rushing.

The Jaguars signed RB D'Ernest Johnson to a one-year deal. Johnson was excellent in a trio of spot starts back in 2021, posting 22-146-1, 19-99-0, and 25-123-1 rushing lines. He led all 50 qualifying RBs in 2021 Pro Football Focus rushing grades. Johnson got on the field for just 35 offensive snaps this past season, though, with both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt healthy. Johnson now joins JaMycal Hasty behind Travis Etienne in Jacksonville's backfield. Neither guy is likely to have standalone fantasy value. But, if Etienne misses time, we'd expect Johnson to lead in carries, with Hasty handling passing-down work.

Browns RB Nick Chubb (foot) was a no-go at practice for the 2nd day in a row. Tomorrow's practice report will provide the final word on Chubb's ability to suit up vs. the Saints on Saturday. If Chubb can't go in Week 16, it would be a big boost to both Kareem Hunt and potentially D'Ernest Johnson. We'll stay on top of this one. Losing a top back like Chubb in the fantasy playoffs would certainly be disappointing.

The Browns are willing to trade RB Kareem Hunt and are looking for a 4th-round pick in return, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Hunt is set to hit free agency in March and seems unlikely to re-sign with Cleveland. We'll see if a trade gets done before Tuesday's deadline. It'd likely be good news for Hunt's fantasy value. It'd also be a boost for RB Nick Chubb, while elevating D'Ernest Johnson to the #2 RB spot in Cleveland.

Browns RB Kareem Hunt has requested a trade, according to insider Mary Kay Cabot, but the team has already told him it won't happen. That could change, of course, especially if Hunt threatens to sit out regular-season games. We'll see where this goes. A move out of Cleveland would almost certainly help Hunt's fantasy value. It'd also be a boost for RB Nick Chubb and turn RB D'Ernest Johnson into a nice pick in the double-digit rounds of fantasy drafts.

ESPN’s Jake Trotter writes that Browns RB D'Ernest Johnson “could be the odd man out” in the backfield. Trotter points out that Johnson's due a reasonable $900K in guaranteed money, so the contract isn’t an issue. Cleveland also spent a Round 5 pick on Cincinnati RB Jerome Ford. In what could be a lost season for Cleveland — pending the length of Deshaun Watson’s suspension — it might make the most sense to get something in return for Johnson. Note that Kareem Hunt enters a contract season; Nick Chubb is signed through 2024.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Browns and RB D’Ernest Johnson have agreed to a 1-year deal worth up to $2.43 million. He’ll get ~900K in guaranteed cash. Johnson is currently Cleveland's third-string RB, but there's still a possibility -- albeit a small one -- that the team trades Kareem Hunt prior to Week 1.

Browns GM Andrew Berry commented on the skill set of 5th-round RB Jerome Ford. "We really think Jerome has a well-rounded game," Berry said. "A bigger guy who can really run. I actually think one of the areas in his game that’s probably a little bit understated is just his ability in the passing game. He’s a guy we think can generate explosive plays for us.” Browns scout Max Paulus added that Ford will work on his kick return ability this offseason. Of course, Ford’s more of a dynasty hold than a redraft sleeper. Behind Nick Chubb, the Browns return contract-year RB Kareem Hunt. As an RFA, D’Ernest Johnson was tendered this offseason, although he’s yet to put pen to paper. "I wouldn’t touch on any individual contract situation," Berry said. "We still think very highly of D’Ernest. Look, we would anticipate him being here moving forward, but we’ll see."

The Browns plan to tender restricted free agent RB D'Ernest Johnson at the "right of 1st refusal" level, according to multiple reports. That tells us the team wants to see what the market is for the 26-year-old RB and doesn't fear the prospect of losing him. We'll see what the market determines. Johnson, of course, delivered several big games with Nick Chubb and/or Kareem Hunt out last season. He has just 165 total touches through 4 pro seasons, though.

Browns RB Kareem Hunt (ankle) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Bengals. RB D’Ernest Johnson came off the COVID list earlier this week and will be the #2 RB behind Nick Chubb today.

Browns RB D'Ernest Johnson has been activated from the COVID list and is eligible to play vs. the Bengals on Sunday. We'll see if RB Kareem Hunt, who's questionable with his ankle injury, ends up playing.

Browns RB Kareem Hunt (ankle) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s finale vs. the Bengals. Cleveland has been eliminated from playoff contention and might not want to play Hunt at less than 100%. We’ll find out whether he’s active around 11:30 am ET on Sunday. RB D'Ernest Johnson was placed on the COVID list on Monday and remains there as of Friday afternoon.