Jeremiah

Johnson

Deep leaguers should keep an eye on Johnson, who will immediately take over as the third-string back in Denver’s lopsidedly run-heavy attack. Always productive in preseasons, Johnson has not received an NFL carry in his career since going undrafted out of Oregon in 2009. For now, he’ll replace Knowshon Moreno on the roster behind Willis McGahee and Lance Ball.

Denver is expected to re-sign him back early next week, but the move was made because the Broncos only have 52 players on their 53-man roster after starting tailback Willis McGahee was placed Wednesday on injured reserve with a designation to return. Because Johnson has three years of NFL service, the Broncos had to either promote Johnson from the practice squad to fill the vacated spot on the 53-man roster or release him.

Steve Slaton reportedly had an impressive workout on Tuesday, but the Broncos are more likely to turn to practice squad RB Jeremiah Johnson if they need depth at the position.

Knowshon Moreno is officially listed as questionable, but the activation of Johnson indicates the Broncos know he won’t play against the Bengals. An explosive back in a short area, Johnson has always looked good in preseason games.

It’s a positive sign for Knowshon Moreno’s (hamstring) availability this week. Johnson was added to the active roster when it became apparent that Moreno wouldn’t play late last week.

All five players ended the season on the practice squad. Johnson appeared in eight games for the Broncos in 2011, rushing for 77 yards on 14 carries. Ihenacho bounced between the active roster and practice squad two separate times in 2012. This group will hope to make it through spring and into training camp.

Johnson hasn’t touched the ball since 2011, but managed to outlast Lance Ball (by a day) on the roster.

Steve Slaton was one of the draft’s biggest winners when the Texans failed to add a backfield partner. Johnson (5-9, 209) is similar in size and style to Slaton and could be used as a change of pace back. Foster (6-1, 226) is more of a bruiser who slipped out of the draft after knee surgery limited his production as a senior. The Texans believe both backs fit their one-cut zone scheme.

He’ll also eventually need surgery on the shoulder. Durability question marks are going to hurt Johnson’s chances of making the Texans’ final roster. He played his entire senior season at Oregon with a dislocated shoulder.

Johnson is more of a scat back, so the extra weight won’t help him. The Texans left him with an order to lose 10 pounds before reporting to training camp next month. With a game similar to Steve Slaton’s, Johnson is likely headed for either Houston’s practice squad or the waiver wire this summer.