ï»żKerryon Johnsonï»ż's unemployment didn't last long
The Philadelphia Eagles claimed the former second-round pick via waivers Friday, the team announced.
Johnson began his time in Detroit with promise, rushing for 641 yards and three scores on 118 carries as a rookie, but his production fell significantly in his second season, going from averaging 5.4 yards per carry in 2018 to 3.6 in 2019. Johnson carried the ball just 52 times in 2020 as ï»żD'Andre Swiftï»ż emerged as Detroit's lead back, and after the Lions added Jamaal Williams via free agency, it became clear Johnson's time in Detroit was nearing its finish.
Johnson joins an Eagles backfield that has missed a power back element since the ï»żJordan Howardï»ż and ï»żJay Ajayiï»ż experiments proved fruitless. As a waiver claim, he's a low-risk and potentially high upside as a complement to ï»żMiles Sandersï»ż. Both will run behind a line that will include Pro Bowlers in ï»żBrandon Brooksï»ż, ï»żLane Johnsonï»ż and ï»żJason Kelceï»ż, as well as rookie and favorite of NFL Network's Brian Baldinger, interior lineman ï»żLandon Dickersonï»ż, among others.
A larger workload might await Johnson. If anything, he's likely in a better playing time situation than he would've been in Detroit.
Tune in to the 2021 NFL Schedule release at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 12, on NFL Network, NFL.com and the NFL app.
