With running back Emari Demercado declared out for the Arizona Cardinals‘ Sunday game against the Green Bay Packers, D’Ernest Johnson was elevated from the practice squad Saturday as the third back behind Michael Carter and Bam Knight.
Johnson was signed to the practice squad on Sept. 29, and Jermar Jefferson came aboard two days later.
Johnson has rushed for 989 yards in his career (4.6 average) and was with the Cleveland Browns from 2019-2022 followed by two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing was an assistant coach on the Browns staff for the final three seasons of Johnson’s tenure in Cleveland.
Asked how Johnson and Jefferson were progressing Friday, head coach Jonathan Gannon said, “D’Ernest is doing a good job picking the system up. He’s been in a similar system, so that’s been cool to see. He’s got a skillset. JJ (Jefferson) is in the same boat. Picking things up, learning the offense; protections are a huge thing, where they’re putting the ball, timing of playing running back. Fourth down as well.
“Just like all our guys that come here mid-year at whatever point, they gotta assimilate into the building, understand how we operate here. Then show us what they can do on the practice field and get ready to go.”
Johnson was the only elevation the Cardinals used after doing that with defensive lineman Zach Carter the last two games and also Anthony Goodlow last Sunday against the Colts.
That could be good news for defensive lineman Darius Robinson, who missed the last two games because of a pectoral injury that has him questionable this week. Defensive lineman Bilal Nichols did not play in Indianapolis because of a personal issue, but he was back practicing this week.
From a Green Bay perspective, the Packers activated center/guard Jacob Monk from injured reserve/designated for return while elevating defensive lineman Arron Mosby and running back Pierre Strong Jr. from the practice squad.
Starting cornerback Keisean Nixon was added to the injury report because of an illness and he is questionable for the game.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals elevate RB D’Ernest Johnson to play vs. Packers