Johnson not only has appeal as a punishing rusher who bulldozed through SEC defenses, but also as a pass catcher. He's kind of like David Montgomery in that regard, but it's unlikely he'll begin the year working in a role similar to that of Montgomery. The Bears coaching staff seems focused on using two backs in a tandem, something Johnson was sort of used to at Texas behind Bijan Robinson. In time, he might overtake both Khalil Herbert and D'Onta Foreman to be the Bears' lead back, but it might be in 2024. That's why Johnson is just a depth RB in Fantasy for 2023 (Round 10 feels about right), but carries value between 15th and 22nd overall in rookie-only Dynasty drafts.
If you missed Ezekiel Elliott, Roschon Johnson is the next best thing in Week 14. The Lions have a very good run defense but they have given up a lot of yardage to backs in the passing game and Johnson is the best pass catcher in the backfield. If I'm looking for playoff upside over Week 14 projection, I'm adding Johnson over Elliott.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Keep an eye on the injury report for the Lions to see if linebacker Alex Anzalone (hand) or defensive tackle Alim McNeill (leg) are healthy, and if both are out for this game against the Bears, then that should help Johnson. He's worth using as a flex option in this matchup after the way he played in Week 12 at Minnesota with 15 total touches, including five catches for 40 yards on five targets. His role in the passing game should give him the chance for a quality outing, especially if the Lions are missing key guys on defense. It would also help Johnson if D'Onta Foreman (ankle) remains out for the Bears as well, but Johnson should be the No. 1 running back for Chicago ahead of Khalil Herbert.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Week 14 Waiver Priority List
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Johnson has the most long-term appeal of the running backs listed here since he should come off Chicago's bye as the starter for the Bears in Week 14 against Detroit. We'll see what happens with D'Onta Foreman (ankle), who missed Week 12 at Minnesota, but Johnson played ahead of Khalil Herbert against the Vikings and turned 15 total touches (five catches on five targets) into 12.5 PPR points. He has a difficult upcoming schedule against Detroit and Cleveland before facing Arizona in Week 16, but I'm hopeful Johnson remains involved in the passing game. He's worth adding in all leagues for 10-15 percent of your FAB, and Johnson could end up as a quality flex to close the season.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Week 13 Waiver Priority List
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You should still plan to add Johnson in all leagues even though the Bears are on a bye in Week 13. He might be Chicago's best running back for the rest of the season. In Week 12 against Minnesota, Johnson had a season-high 10 carries for 35 yards and five catches for 40 yards on five targets. The 15 total touches were a season best, and he played 50 snaps compared to just 15 for Khalil Herbert. Now, D'Onta Foreman (ankle) was out against the Vikings, so take that into account, but Chicago might want to see what Johnson has to offer to close the season, which makes sense. I'm hopeful Johnson has taken over in the Bears backfield, and he should be added in all leagues for up to 15 percent of your FAB.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Outpaces Herbert in Week 12 win
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Johnson rushed 10 times for 35 yards and brought in all five targets for 40 yards in the Bears' 12-10 win over the Vikings on Monday. He also committed a fumble, which was recovered by the Bears.
The rookie notably logged four more carries than Khalil Herbert, despite entering the game No. 2 on the depth chart. Johnson also outpaced his teammate through the air, checking in third in receptions, receiving yards and targets on the night for Chicago. Both Johnson's rush attempts and receiving yards were new career highs, and it will be interesting to see how the division of labor in the Bears' ground attack breaks down Week 14 against the Lions following the Week 13 bye, considering D'Onta Foreman (ankle) is likely to be factored back into the mix for that contest.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: To work behind Herbert in Week 12
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Johnson is slated to be the Bears' top complementary running back to Khalil Herbert on Monday in Minnesota after the team ruled out D'Onta Foreman (ankle/shin) for the contest Sunday, Larry Mayer of the team's official site reports.
Johnson has routinely acted as the No. 2 RB in Chicago's offense behind Herbert or Foreman, depending on who is healthy and available among the two. The result has been seven touches for 32 yards from scrimmage per game and one rushing TD in nine games this season. Expect a similar workload for Johnson on Monday in a secondary role behind Herbert.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Week 12 Early Waiver Targets (Add/Drop)
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We'll see if Foreman's injury costs him some time, but Johnson remains an intriguing stash candidate even if Foreman doesn't end up missing much time. We're at the point of the season where, if you're a contender, your bench should be filled with more high-upside, relative long-shot bets like Johnson, who might only need one injury to Khalil Herbert (who just came back from IR) to be a must-start Fantasy option. Johnson runs hard and had a few nice reps Sunday, and if Foreman's injury lingers, Johnson could be well situated for a big stretch run.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Targeted often in victory
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Johnson rushed five times for 18 yards and caught four passes for 14 yards in the Bears' 16-13 win over the Panthers on Thursday.
Johnson continues to struggle with his opportunities, as he has gained 43 yards on 13 rushes while also being held to 33 yards on eight receptions over his last three games. The Chicago backfield may become more crowded in Week 11, when the team likely activates Khalil Herbert (ankle) from injured reserve. If Johnson retains his pass-catching role, he could maintain the 1.85 receptions per game he's recorded since Week 2.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Splits backfield work Sunday
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Johnson took six carries for 21 yards while catching three of four targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 30-13 loss to the Chargers.
Johnson was able to pass the league's concussion protocol in time to suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Chargers. The 22-year-old wound up splitting touches with D'Onta Foreman, with neither player standing out in the box score. Both backs could struggle to develop consistent value due to fluctuating usage from an indecisive coaching staff trying to salvage a season that is clearly heading the wrong direction, and that's before the eventual return of Khalil Herbert (ankle) gets factored in. For now, assume another roughly even split between Johnson and Foreman against the Saints in Week 9.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Out of concussion protocol
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Johnson said Thursday that he cleared the concussion protocol and is ready to play in Sunday's road game against the Chargers, Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com reports.
Players in the protocol for head injuries aren't permitted to speak to the media, so Johnson's comments more or less pave the way for him to put an end to a two-game absence. His upcoming role is in some question, though, after D'Onta Foreman reeled off 187 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns over the last two games with Khalil Herbert (ankle, IR) sidelined. In five games this season, Johnson is averaging 4.9 yards on his 25 carries, has hauled in 11 of 12 targets for 58 yards and scored one rushing TD.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Another full practice
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Johnson (concussion) practiced fully Thursday.
The uncapped session marks Johnson's second in a row, but it's unclear if he's passed through the final phase of the protocol for head injuries. On Wednesday, coach Matt Eberflus noted Johnson had "one more hurdle" to get past in order to see his first game action since sustaining a concussion Week 5 in Washington, per Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com. Having said that, the Bears may not indicate whether that has happened until they post their final practice report of Week 8 on Friday. If Johnson gains clearance to play Sunday at the Chargers, he may split the backfield reps with D'Onta Foreman with Khalil Herbert (ankle) still on injured reserve.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Not practicing yet
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Johnson (concussion) isn't practicing Wednesday, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Johnson hasn't practiced since suffering a concussion in a Thursday night win over Washington in Week 5. He missed the Week 6 loss to Minnesota in which D'Onta Foreman and Darrynton Evans handled the backfield work while Johnson, Khalil Herbert (ankle) and Travis Homer (hamstring) all sat out. Another missed practice suggests Johnson is in danger of missing a second game this Sunday against Las Vegas.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Spectator for Thursday's practice
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Johnson (concussion) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice.
Johnson entered concussion protocol after he was removed from this past Thursday's 40-20 win over the Commanders and doesn't appear to have taken a notable step forward in his recovery from the injury just under a week later. With consecutive absences at practice to begin Week 6 prep, Johnson will likely need to mix into drills in some capacity Friday in addition to gaining clearance from an independent neurologist to have any chance at playing Sunday against the Vikings. Khalil Herbert (ankle) and Travis Homer (hamstring) have also been spectators for the Bears' first two Week 6 practices and appear to be trending toward absences Sunday, which likely leaves D'Onta Foreman on track to headline the Chicago backfield against the Vikings.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Still in concussion protocol
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Bears head coach Matt Eberflus confirmed Wednesday that Johnson remains in concussion protocol, Courtney Cronin of ESPN reports.
Johnson left last Thursday's win over Washington due to the head injury. The Bears will release their first Week 6 practice report later Wednesday, and if Johnson is able to take part in the session as at least a limited participant, it would be a sign that he's made some progression through the five-step protocol. The rookie running back is hoping to be available for the Bears' Week 6 game against the Vikings on Sunday, when he could be primed to take on a larger role with lead runner Khalil Herbert (ankle) likely to miss the contest.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Ruled out from return
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Johnson (concussion) has been ruled out for the rest of Thursday's game against the Commanders.
Johnson exited the game in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. While there's been no official announcement about his diagnosis, Johnson will be out for the game after recording three rushes for 19 yards. He'll have nine days to recover prior to the Bears' Week 6 matchup against the Vikings.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Being evaluated for concussion
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Johnson exited Thursday's game against the Commanders to be evaluated for a concussion.
Johnson exited midway through the second quarter. Prior to his exit, he had three carries for 19 yards. It's unclear if he'll be able to return.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Serves as clear No.2 runner
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Johnson rushed five times for 13 yards and caught one pass for two yards in the Bears' 31-28 loss to the Broncos on Sunday.
Johnson is often used as the passing-game running back when the Bears trail, but since the team led until that latter stages of the game, he saw significantly less work than Khalil Herbert. Despite his light usage in this contest, Johnson should have a good chance of seeing closer to 10 touches in a significant number of games as Chicago is likely to be trailing frequently this season.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Works as Herbert's backup Sunday
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Johnson rushed four times for 32 yards and brought in both targets for 10 yards in the Bears' 27-17 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Johnson elevated to the No. 2 role behind Khalil Herbert with D'Onta Foreman a healthy scratch, and the rookie did a solid job with his modest opportunities. The Texas product's overall performance seemingly didn't do anything to knock Johnson back down a peg on the depth chart, so he's likely to remain the main complementary option to Herbert in a Week 3 road battle against the Chiefs.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Headed for No. 2 role
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Johnson is likely to serve as the top backup behind starting running back Khalil Herbert in Sunday's game against the Buccaneers with the Bears expected to make D'Onta Foreman a healthy inactive in Week 2, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Johnson was one of the few bright spots for the Bears in their 38-20 loss to the Packers in Week 1. Though most of his touches came in garbage time, Johnson still capitalized on his opportunities, carrying five times for 20 yards and a touchdown while turning seven targets into six receptions for 35 yards. The Bears apparently saw enough from the rookie fourth-round pick out of Texas to give him a look in the No. 2 role this week at the expense of Foreman, who gained just 24 yards on seven touches (five carries, two receptions) against Green Bay. Considering that Herbert doesn't have much of a track record as a lead back in the NFL, Johnson could have a chance to unseat him atop the depth chart if he can continue to find success on the ground and as a pass catcher. Johnson may already be the Bears' preferred option over Herbert on passing downs, given that Herbert has recorded just 26 catches for 190 yards on 33 targets through 31 career games.
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Bears' Roschon Johnson: Week 1 Waiver Priority List
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Johnson is one of my most rostered players, regardless of position, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's the best running back in Chicago this season. I would add him for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAB where available in all leagues, but don't leave him on the waiver wire. Khalil Herbert will open the season as the starter for the Bears, but I expect Johnson to have a prominent role. D'Onta Foreman also remains in the mix, but Johnson might have the most upside. I'm hopeful that Johnson has a big year in his rookie campaign.
