Houston Texans 2021 player profile: RB David Johnson

David Johnson did not make a great first impression with the Houston Texans last season. His performance coming out of the backfield was average at best. And any hope for a bounce-back season will be a difficult task given the number of running backs the Texans will enter training camp with come late July.

As a former All-Pro running back still seeking redemption, here is a look at what Johnson can bring to the Texans in 2021.

Rundown

(AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

Position: Running Back Age: 29 Height: 6-1 Weight: 224 lbs Hometown: Memphis, Tenn. High School: Clinton (IA) College: Northern Iowa Draft: 2015, Round 3, No. 86 overall Acquired: Via trade in 2020 with the Arizona Cardinals

Profile

(AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Johnson played a vital reason why the Texans had a subpar run game throughout the 2020 season. He rushed for a team-high 691 yards on 147 attempts, finishing 23rd amongst the NFL's top rushers last season. Notable players who recorded more yards on the ground than Johnson were quarterback Kyler Murray (819), along with rookies J.K. Dobbins (805) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (803) — which is not the ideal situation for Houston's starting running back. With Mark Ingram and Phillip Lindsay joining Johnson in the backfield, the former All-Pro running back (2016) will not have to carry a bulk of the Texans rushing attack in 2021. Splitting time with his new counterparts will allow the Texans to use Johnson as an additional pass-catcher, similar to the way Houston used Duke Johnson the prior two seasons. He may not reclaim his role as the Texans' starting running back come Week 1 of the regular season, but Johnson's versatility as a receiver has always been his top asset. In 2020, Johnson fell right outside the top-15 for running backs with the most receiving yards (16th), as the former Cardinal caught 314 yards on 33 receptions.

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