Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (toe) was upgraded to a full practice on Friday and was subsequently removed from the final injury report for Week 1 on Sunday at Soldier Field against the visiting Tennessee Titans. Johnson began the week on Wednesday with a limited practice and followed suit on Thursday before being a full-go on Friday. The 23-year-old missed valuable reps in training camp and the preseason with his toe injury, but he's ready for the start of the regular season and should be left on fantasy benches in the vast majority of leagues in Week 1. To open the 2024 campaign, Johnson is lined up as Chicago's RB3 behind D'Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert. The former fourth-rounder last year out of Texas, Johnson played in 15 games (zero starts) and compiled 352 yards on 81 carries (4.3 yards per tote) while scoring two TDs on the ground. He added 34 catches for 209 yards.
Sep 6, 2024 3:12 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson (toe) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. A toe injury has plagued the second-year running back -- one he picked up early on in the preseason and hasn't seen any live action since the Hall of Fame game. It would seem he has a decent shot at suiting up for the Bears' regular-season home-opener against the Tennessee Titans due to him at least participating minimally. Johnson is currently slated to open the year as Chicago's third-string RB behind starter D'Andre Swift and backup Khalil Herbert. Even if the former Longhorn can find his way to the field, it would be tough to rely on him for more than groundwork with the loaded wide receiver corps around him. Additionally, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is not known for his propensity to check it down to his running back. Johnson can be safely left on the waiver wire for the time being sans dynasty and deep leagues.
Sep 4, 2024 9:36 PM EST
Ah, the sweet siren song of the NFL preseason, where every player is in the best shape of their life and the unheralded rookies shine like diamonds in the rough during drills. It's that time of year when coaches wax poetic about every last guy on the roster, setting fantasy football chat boards alight with speculation and hype. Let's cut through the noise a bit as unfortunately, not every story is a fairy tale here. Players are wrestling with injuries, grappling with inconsistency, and duking it out in fierce roster battles. These aren't always front-page news, but keen eyes on usage and preseason snaps can speak volumes. These under-the-radar signals might just hint at who's slipping down the depth charts. So, who's not living up to the hype? Here's a rundown of players at each position whose fantasy stocks have taken a preseason plunge. That's not to say you shouldn't draft any of these players or that they will be busts in 2024, the purpose of this article is just to point out which way the arrow is pointing for some of these players. Running Backs Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints It hasn't been the best tenure for Miller since he was drafted by the Saints in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He suffered a knee injury at the end of his final season at TCU that ended up lingering into 2023 training camp and the regular season after Miller pulled his hamstring. Despite starting running back Alvin Kamara missing three games with a suspension, Miller was never able to get on the field and finished his rookie campaign with just 41 rushes for 156 yards and 1 TD to go with 10 receptions for 117 yards. #Saints HC Dennis Allen on Kendre Miller: "All I can go off of is what I've been able to evaluate and, quite frankly, since we drafted him, there hasn't been a whole lot of new information other than what I saw on the college tape, because he hasn't been available." "He's pic.twitter.com/tSRDrAh7nD The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) August 21, 2024 During training camp this summer, Miller suffered another pulled hamstring, and Saints head coach said that Miller is going to have to figure out how to stay healthy during a post-practice interview with the press. As of right now, it appears Miller is in danger of losing his roster spot or of being buried on the depth chart altogether. Many in the dynasty space liked Miller as a prospect, but it appears his head coach's patience is wearing thin. It's likely that Miller would get picked up by another team if he were released, but changing teams this late in the preseason isn't ideal as he'd have to learn an entirely new offense. Perhaps we are all overreacting here, but the drumbeat for Miller hasn't been a solid one at all this summer. Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears There were some rumblings of fellow RB Khalil Herbert getting traded, but those murmurs seem to have faded for the time being. Herbert is an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 season, and the Bears would likely get more for Herbert via compensatory picks than they would from trading him at this point. The team is all-in on building around No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams at quarterback and helping to get him as many weapons as possible as a rookie. D'Andre Swift was signed to a free agent deal this offseason and despite showing promise as a rookie, Roschon seems buried on the bench as the team's RB3 at this stage. Johnson averaged 4.9 yards per touch (20th among RBs) in 2023 and also featured a 9.5% target share and is a capable player when he's on the field. However, this backfield is trending towards being a three-way committee with a rookie quarterback under head coach Matt Eberflus, making it a very difficult needle to thread for fantasy football in 2024. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers Jacobs took a tumble in ADP over the summer after reports came out of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur suggesting that he prefers a committee-based approach with multiple backs to keep them fresh for the playoffs. Looking back at LaFleur's running back usage over five years as Green Bay's head coach, he's never given any back over a 62 percent snap share in a season. Green Bay drafted RB MarShawn Lloyd out of USC in the third round of the draft and A.J. Dillon still looms on the depth chart. The fact that Lloyd has been sidelined with a hamstring injury for much of training camp has meant that he hasn't been on the field to get meaningful reps and establish a role for himself in the offense. Despite how much the markets have frowned upon Josh Jacobs over the summer, the reality is he's going to be leaned on heavily, at least early in the season in what could be a very good offense. Buy the dip! AJ Dillon stinger. MarShawn Lloyd's hamstring. Josh Jacobs workhorse 2024. https://t.co/fvUEmaa0Cm Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) August 21, 2024 Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans Pollard was signed to a healthy 3-year / $21.75 million contract this offseason and many across the fantasy landscape assumed that meant he was going to be the guy. However, the Titans' coaching staff has come out multiple times saying that they view Pollard and fellow RB Tyjae Spears as "interchangeable," a sort of "1-A" and "1-B" in their backfield. Pollard was going well ahead of Spears for a portion of the summer, but now they are both going close to each other in ADP. Neither of them is a bad fantasy pick at this point due to the reality that each of them has contingent-based upside if the other back misses time, but Spears is the younger and more explosive of the two backs. Under new head coach Brian Callahan, the Titans have a chance to improve their offense by leaps and bounds compared to 2023. If you still believe in Pollard, now is a good time to buy the dip. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers After head coach Todd Bowles came out this offseason and suggested that they needed to give White a little bit of a breather and get another running back involved in the offense, many in the fantasy football community panicked. Whether or not to draft White is a huge conundrum for fantasy football in 2024 as there are pros and cons. Drafting White might feel like a good move at first glance, but the guy's averaging a modest 3.7 yards per carry across his career, and his efficiency metrics as a runner were some of the worst in the NFL last season. The plot thickens with the Bucs' latest draft pick, Bucky Irving, fresh off two 1,000-yard rushing seasons at Oregon and known for snagging four passes a game last year. Plus, there's Sean Tucker, who disappointed as an undrafted rookie free agent last season, but the team is still giving him a chance to prove himself. The problem with White compared to last year is that he's being drafted as a fringe RB1, in the same neighborhood as Isiah Pacheco and James Cook. White offers tremendous upside as a pass-catcher, but there are valid reasons to be concerned about him holding down the job again for another full season. Wide Receivers Marquise Brown, Kansas City Chiefs There's a ton to like about Brown this season as he adds a strong vertical element to the Chiefs' offense that they haven't had since star wideout Tyreek Hill was traded. However, Brown suffered a nasty injury early in the preseason that caused him to be hospitalized. While there is optimism in Kansas City for an early return, one of my favorite medical experts isn't so sure. Writing up Marquise Brown in the fade due to injury breakdown and realizing that people were drafting him ~WR37. ~61.3 overall ADP. He should probably drop at least 2-3 full rounds, even if he's back by Wk2-3. Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) August 12, 2024 It's no secret that the Chiefs offense has the possibility of being much more explosive compared to the last two years, but there are a bevy of mouths to feed. Stud TE Travis Kelce was just re-signed to an extension, the team traded up for WR Xavier Worthy in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, and second-year wideout Rashee Rice is very good. While the outlook is still solid for a healthy Brown overall, his injury might cause him to get bumped down in the pecking order for now. Mike Williams, New York Jets If Jets QB Aaron Rodgers can return to form after his Achilles injury, there is reason for optimism about the Jets offense this year. Outside of stud wideout Garrett Wilson, there isn't anyone out there as the team's established No. 2 pass catcher. Williams has been one of the biggest 'what ifs' in fantasy during his time with the Chargers. Yeah, he's put up some solid numbers but has only cracked the top 30 in full-PPR formats once. Here's the harsh truth: Williams has only seen 100+ targets once, hit 1,000 yards twice, and never reached 80 catches in a season. Now, with a new team and no clear timetable for his return, expecting a breakout in 2024 feels like a long shot, but there is a scenario where he could outperform his ADP, especially in best ball formats. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings It's been a rough offseason for Addison and the Vikings in general. The second-year wideout was arrested for a DUI over the summer and nearly suffered a season-ending injury in training camp on the same day that rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy was ruled out for the season after suffering a meniscus tear. Kevin O'Connell confirms that WR Jordan Addison avoided a major ankle injury. "I don't see him missing any extended time," he told reporters at Browns facility. LB Blake Cashman injured a finger yesterday and needed surgery. He'll return once the stitches heal, per O'Connell. Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) August 15, 2024 Veteran Sam Darnold will step in as the Vikings quarterback for the full season after many had anticipated he would only start the first four games before McCarthy took over following the team's Week 5 bye. Going from McCarthy to Darnold for a full season shouldn't move the needle all that much, but it does remove a scenario where McCarthy would have played much better than Darnold in the second half of the year. You shouldn't fade Justin Jefferson in fantasy because of Darnold, but it's fair to have doubts about him supporting Addison and T.J. Hockenson this year. While there's enough reason to be optimistic about head coach Kevin O'Connell keeping this offense humming, it's fair to have questions about a quarterback on his fourth team in seven years. Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos There was a reason to be hopeful for Franklin despite falling to the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Early on Day 3, the Broncos moved up in the draft to select Franklin and reunite him with his old college quarterback, Bo Nix. Franklin is a taller receiver who is a total burner on the outside but reports out of training camp thus far have suggested that Franklin is struggling to get off press and isn't running routes well. While it's still fine to be optimistic about Franklin for dynasty purposes, he appears buried on the depth chart for now.
Aug 29, 2024 10:15 AM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson rushed six times for 24 yards and caught his only target for seven yards in the team's 21-17 shortened win over the Texans. Johnson trailed Khalil Herbert in rushing yards on the day with a modest 4.4 yards per carry but led all players in touches. Following the addition of D'Andre Swift in the offseason, Johnson looks to step into a solid supporting role heading into his second season. He appears set to work in a timeshare with Herbert based on the situation. Johnson's next chance to improve his game film and earn a bigger role comes August 10th at Buffalo.
Aug 1, 2024 11:46 PM EST
On the podium at the 2024 NFL Combine, Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said he "loves where Roschon Johnson is in his development." This was in response to a question about Johnson's potential prospects of being the team's lead back in 2024. The former Texas Longhorn rushed 81 times for 352 yards and two touchdowns and caught 34 passes for 209 yards in his rookie season after being selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. 25-year-old ball-carrier Khalil Herbert remains on the roster, while veteran D'Onta Foreman is a free agent. While Eberflus' comments are a good sign, it's far too early to project Johnson's potential workload. With a strong free agent and underrated rookie running back class available this offseason, the organization could easily add to its running back room.
Feb 27, 2024 4:26 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson wrapped up his rookie season in limited fashion, rushing five times for 20 yards in the team's 17-9 loss to the Packers in Week 18. The 2023 fourth-round pick ended his first season with 332 rushing yards on over four yards per attempt along with 209 receiving yards. Despite having to fight for opportunities with veterans Khalil Herbert and D'Onta Foreman, Johnson showed what he can do in the passing game this year and looks to be a weapon for this team to utilize going forward. While he never gained a consistent enough role to be valuable to fantasy managers, Johnson should have more opportunity next year if the team doesn't make a big move for a running back. Like most rookie running backs, he was never completely unleashed and will look to take a step forward in a bigger role in 2024.
Jan 7, 2024 10:42 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson has faced challenges in a crowded backfield, seeing 10 or more touches in a game only five times this season. Recently, his role has expanded with D'Onta Foreman missing the last two games. Johnson, primarily a receiving back this year, has demonstrated consistency with at least three catches in each of the last three games and four of the last six. With Khalil Herbert nursing a back injury and limited in practice, Johnson could assume the lead role if both Herbert and Foreman are sidelined in Week 18. Facing the Green Bay Packers, who concede the 12th-most points per game to running backs and rank 26th in DVOA against the run, Johnson emerges as a solid RB2 option in the absence of his counterparts and a viable low-end RB3 if they are available.
Jan 5, 2024 1:36 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson found the end zone for the first time since Week 1 in the team's 37-17 victory over the Falcons in Week 17. The rookie contributed seven rushes for 21 yards and a touchdown, along with catching all three targets for 38 yards. With D'Onta Foreman (coach's decision) sidelined, Khalil Herbert once again assumed the primary rushing role for the Bears. Johnson's overall role remained relatively consistent, still receiving a few carries while demonstrating effectiveness in the passing game. His 14 PPR points marked the highest since Week 1, showcasing his potential with a consistent workload. If Foreman continues to be unavailable, Johnson may gain appeal in PPR formats. The Bears face the Packers in Week 18, who allow the 12th-most points per game to running backs this season.
Dec 31, 2023 5:12 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson has seen snap shares exceeding 50% only once this season, predominantly operating as a receiving back. While his involvement in the passing game boosts his appeal in PPR formats, early-down and goal-line situations often favor Khalil Herbert and D'Onta Foreman. Without a consistent stream of touchdown opportunities, the rookie heavily depends on receiving work to deliver for fantasy managers. Guided by Justin Fields, the Bears have embraced a run-heavy strategy, complicating Johnson's fantasy outlook. In Week 17, facing the Falcons, who allow the second-fewest points per game to running backs, and with Foreman's return, the backfield becomes crowded, diminishing Johnson's appeal as a fantasy option. The risk associated with Johnson's uncertain role and the formidable matchup advises caution for fantasy managers in Week 17.
Dec 29, 2023 1:41 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson operated as the clear number two behind Khalil Herbert in Week 16, with D'Onta Foreman out due to personal reasons. The rookie rushed nine times for 37 yards and caught all three targets for 16 yards in the team's 27-16 win over the Cardinals. The Bears leaned on the rushing attack heavily after jumping out to an early lead, but Herbert was the main beneficiary, seeing 21 touches to Johnson's 12. Despite Johnson getting more passing work, the Bears are too run-heavy to consistently provide good receiving volume for their backs. Heading into Week 17 against the Falcons, who allow the second-fewest points per game to running backs this year, Johnson's fantasy value remains limited. Even if Foreman stays out, Johnson doesn't hold much value this season, buried in a deep running back room.
Dec 25, 2023 11:16 AM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson emerged as the primary backfield contributor in Week 15, registering nine total touches for 60 yards. The Bears' offense struggled to find consistency against the formidable Browns defense, but the rookie showcased the most success in this contest. While Johnson has assumed a larger role in two of the last three weeks, leading the backfield, he only carried the ball once for six yards in Week 14. With D'Onta Foreman and Khalil Herbert healthy, the Bears typically employ a committee approach, relying on the hot hand. Encouragingly for Johnson, he is likely to handle the majority of receiving duties, resulting in favorable PPR outputs. Facing the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16, who allow the most points per game to running backs this season, Johnson, with eight or more touches, could deliver a solid performance in this favorable matchup.
Dec 22, 2023 1:34 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson saw a season-low in usage during Week 14 with just one touch, but he emerged as the leader in the healthy Bears' backfield in Week 15. The rookie rushed five times for 36 yards and caught four of six targets for 24 yards in the team's 20-17 loss to the Browns. It was a challenging day overall for the Bears' offense, held to just 236 yards in Cleveland against the stingy Browns' defense. The Bears ran the ball 27 times, and Johnson led the running back room in touches and had only one less attempt than D'Onta Foreman and Khalil Herbert. The 22-year-old proved to be the most effective Bears running back in Week 15, with Foreman finishing with negative six yards and Herbert totaling 12 yards. In Week 16, the Bears face the Cardinals, who allow the second-most points per game to running backs this season. Following a disappointing performance from the veterans, Johnson could continue to lead the backfield in touches moving forward.
Dec 17, 2023 9:57 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson saw just one touch in Week 14 for six yards, marking the fewest opportunities he's had in a game this season. The rookie running back appeared to earn a larger role in the absence of D'Onta Foreman in Week 12, accumulating 15 touches for 75 total yards. However, with Foreman's return, Johnson's role diminished, playing just 28% of the snaps. While he may retain value as a pass catcher, Foreman is the preferred rusher, and Johnson is unlikely to see many touches in the red zone. Without significant receiving volume or explosive plays, Johnson faces challenges in fantasy production. The Bears face the Browns in Week 15, who allow the 19th-most points per game to running backs. Until Johnson experiences a consistent uptick in usage, he doesn't warrant a spot in fantasy lineups.
Dec 15, 2023 1:21 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson had a minimal impact in Week 14, carrying the ball only once for six yards in the team's 28-13 victory over the Lions. The return of D'Onta Foreman diminished the rookie's role, despite Johnson averaging 10 touches per game over the previous three weeks. Before the bye week, he managed 15 touches for 75 yards without Foreman. However, in Week 14, Johnson found himself behind both Foreman and Khalil Herbert. The concerning aspect lies in how the Bears distributed carries to other backs in crucial moments of the game. While rookies often see increased opportunities post-bye week, the crowded running back room in Chicago may limit Johnson's involvement throughout the season. Facing the Browns in Week 15, a team allowing the 19th-most points per game to running backs this year, Johnson remains a stash for now until he secures a more consistent role.
Dec 10, 2023 10:22 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson has struggled to find a consistent role in 2023, but he's coming off season-high usage in their last game in Week 12. The rookie rushed 10 times for 35 yards and caught all five targets for 40 yards, playing on 74% of the snaps. Before Week 12, Johnson had never played more than 45% of the snaps and saw a drastic increase with D'Onta Foreman (ankle) out. Rookies typically receive larger roles following the bye, and Johnson could maintain a similar workload for the rest of the season. Foreman isn't on the injury report ahead of Week 14, set to return, and Khalil Herbert is likely to get touches. The Bears face the Lions in Week 14, who allow the fourth-fewest points per game to running backs this season. While Johnson may not see much work near the goal line, his receiving usage makes him an intriguing but risky option for Week 14.
Dec 8, 2023 1:15 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson saw the most usage of his young career in the team's 12-10 win over the Vikings in Week 12. The rookie running back finished with a career-most 10 carries for 35 yards while also catching all five targets for 40 yards. This marked the most opportunities Johnson saw in a game all year and the first time he's seen 10 touches since Week 3. The 22-year-old was the clear leader in the backfield in Week 12, playing 51 snaps to Khalil Herbert's 15. With D'Onta Foreman (ankle) out, Johnson was expected to see some work alongside Herbert but ended up leading the backfield entirely. The Bears have a bye week in Week 13 and face the Lions in Week 14, who allow the third-fewest points per game to running backs.
Nov 28, 2023 10:06 AM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson has encountered inconsistent opportunities throughout the season, a trend that continued in Week 11. Despite teammate D'Onta Foreman exiting with an ankle injury, Johnson remained behind Khalil Herbert, finishing the game with six carries for 30 yards. Although he showcased efficiency with an average of five yards per attempt, the rookie has only exceeded 10 touches in two games this year. As Foreman carries a questionable status into Week 12, there's potential for increased opportunities for Johnson, solidifying his role as the clear number two in the backfield if Foreman is sidelined. The upcoming matchup against the Vikings, who allow the 11th-fewest points per game to running backs this season, poses a challenge. However, if Foreman misses the game, Johnson could find an opportunity to become more involved.
Nov 25, 2023 6:20 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson did the most with his touches in the team's Week 11 loss to the Lions, carrying the ball six times for a solid 30 yards. With Khalil Herbert returning from an ankle injury and D'Onta Foreman exiting the game due to an ankle injury, Johnson seized the opportunity, showcasing his effectiveness with an impressive five yards per carry in a limited sample size. If Foreman is sidelined, Johnson's role is poised to expand, serving as the secondary rusher and the primary option in passing situations. Looking ahead to Week 12, the Bears are set to face the Vikings, a team that ranks 20th in points allowed per game to running backs this season. If Foreman misses time, Johnson could have a genuine chance to solidify his position in the team's backfield, making him an intriguing prospect for fantasy managers seeking backfield depth.
Nov 19, 2023 7:53 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson showed plenty of flashes in Week 1 with a rushing touchdown and six catches, but he failed to take control of the Bears' backfield despite a multitude of injuries. With Khalil Herbert (ankle) likely to be activated off IR this week, all of Johnson's value will come as a pass-catcher. Veteran D'Onta Foreman (ankle) currently has a questionable tag for Week 11, and he would likely split the ground work with Herbert if he's activated. The rookie Johnson did catch four passes in their Week 10 game against the Panthers, but it looks like all his value going forward will come through the air. Johnson is a solid stash in dynasty formats but doesn't need to be rostered at the moment in redraft.
Nov 17, 2023 12:53 PM EST
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson saw his most involvement in the passing game since Week 1, finishing with four catches on six targets but went for just 14 yards. On the ground, the rookie running back rushed five times for 18 yards. He logged 42% of the snaps, marking his second-highest participation rate of the season. With Khalil Herbert (ankle) out, D'Onta Foreman has taken over most of the rushing opportunities. Herbert was a full participant in practice all week and should have a good chance to return in Week 11 after a long layoff. Johnson's role becomes even more limited with Herbert back, as the Bears will likely try to keep Foreman involved in some way. Johnson looks to be at best the pass-catching option in the backfield, and he will need to continue to see around five targets in games to hold any value. The Bears take on the Lions in Week 11, who allow the second-fewest PPR points per game to running backs this year. Johnson remains just a stash until he gains a consistent role.
Nov 10, 2023 11:14 AM EST
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