The Dolphins submitted a claim for Kerryon Johnson, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Unfortunately for them, the Eagles also submitted a claim for the former Lions running back, and they had the higher priority.
Miami has already invested a bit in the RB group this year, adding Malcolm Brown in free agency and drafting Gerrid Doaks in the seventh round. Meanwhile, they already have Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed, Patrick Laird, and Jordan Scarlett on the roster. Their move for Johnson indicates that they could still explore backfield options between now and the fall.
Johnson, a 2018 second-round pick, was been slowed by injuries in his early seasons. However, he returned to play in 16 games last year. The Eagles hope that he can stay on the field and get back to his rookie form, when he averaged 5.4 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns, up until the first of two serious knee injuries.
Instead of taking his talents to South Beach, Johnson joins an Eagles group that includes Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Jordan Howard, and fifth-round rookie Kenneth Gainwell.
Awful move by the lions. Kerryon is more than capable when healthy.
He is just never healthy. He played in all 16 last year, but he was third string and only got 50 some carries all season long.
He’s lost his burst… He’s a really good guy, will work hard and pass protects well… But he’s far from irreplaceable… Jermar Jefferson will give them plenty…
“when healthy” are the key words.
Howard won’t make the team . Scott is limited— he slots in a #2 immediately. Gainwell @ 4
Can we stop with the “take their talents to South Beach” trope…? I guess it’s not a big deal just overused by every sports writer.