Duke Johnson

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• Texans' Duke Johnson: Eight targets in playoff loss

  01/13/2020 •

  Johnson caught five of eight targets for 23 yards and had 11 yards rushing on one carry in Sunday's 51-31 divisional-round playoff loss to Kansas City. The game turned into a wild affair with quarterback Deshaun Watson throwing 52 times. It was the type of game that could favor a receiving threat like Johnson, who tied his season high in targets, but it didn't materialize into an impact fantasy day. Johnson finished the regular season with 410 rushing yards (4.9 YPC) and 44 catches for 410 yards. When Lamar Miller (knee) went down with an injury during preseason, it looked like Johnson would become the Texans' lead back, but Houston added Carlos Hyde for that role. Heading into the offseason, Johnson and special teamer Buddy Howell are the only running backs under contract.

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• Texans' Duke Johnson: Makes impact in limited role

  01/05/2020 •

  Johnson carried the ball three times for 38 yards and caught all three of his targets for 30 yards in Saturday's 22-19 overtime wild-card win over the Bills. While Carlos Hyde struggled in the lead role out of the backfield against a stout Bills front seven -- averaging only 3.0 yards a carry and having his longest run go for only eight yards -- Johnson was able to break free for a couple of splash plays in the second half and ended up out-gaining Hyde on the day despite being out-touched, 17-6. Next Sunday's trip to Kansas City for the AFC divisional round figures to be more favorable for Hyde, as the Chiefs ranked in the bottom seven in the league in yards per carry and rushing yards per game allowed during the regular season, so Johnson -- who hasn't seen double-digit touches in a game since Week 13 -- is likely to have a secondary role in the offense once again.

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• Texans' Duke Johnson: Finds end zone

  12/30/2019 •

  Johnson carried the ball four times for 12 yards in the team's Week 17 loss to the Titans. He added five catches for 45 yards. Johnson played a key role in the Texans' first scoring drive, rushing for nine yards and a touchdown while also chipping in a 14-yard reception. He went on contribute in the passing game, recording receptions of seven, eight and 13 yards. Though he managed only 127 touches on the season, Johnson set a new career high with 410 yards on the ground in his first season in Houston. Though it's unlikely the team won't add depth to the backfield, Johnson may have a chance for an increased role in the 2020 season if Hyde is not re-signed as a free agent. For now, however, Johnson's focus will remain on the playoffs, as the Texans are set to square off against Buffalo in the first round.

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• Texans' Duke Johnson: Season-low output in win

  12/22/2019 •

  Johnson gained four yards on two carries, caught one of four targets for 12 yards and lost a fumble in Saturday's 23-20 win over the Buccaneers in Week 16. The three touches and 16 yards from scrimmage were a season low for Johnson, who's gained just 39 yards the last two weeks. With starter Carlos Hyde nursing an ankle injury, there was potential for Johnson to have an elevated role, but that never materialized. The bright note is that Johnson was targeted twice inside the red zone.

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• Texans' Duke Johnson: Could have larger role Week 16

  12/20/2019 •

  With Carlos Hyde (ankle) listed as questionable, Johnson could see more playing time Week 16 against the Buccaneers on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. ET. Johnson had 23 yards from scrimmage last week but could be in a good spot against Tampa Bay's 30th-ranked pass defense. The Bucs also are first in passing offense and third in scoring offense, so this has the potential to be a wide-open affair that requires Houston to have a receiving element out of the backfield.

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