Tra

Carson

The Lions are good to go at the RB position after drafting D’Andre Swift in the second round. Swift possesses the same sort of theoretical high-end three-down ability as Kerryon Johnson. He’ll likely compete with Kerryon for the starting job from day one, while Bo Scarbrough and Ty Johnson also face newfound competition in the form of Huntley. Expect an annoying multi-back committee that likely won’t lead to much consistent fantasy production unless one or more of the participants goes down with an injury. Perhaps Carson can find another team to compete for a backup role on.

The Lions released Carson from the reserve/injured list in November but want him to stick around in 2020 to compete for a depth position behind Kerryon Johnson. Carson had a one-week stint as the Lions’ starter but ended up suffering a hamstring injury.

Carson was placed on the injured reserve list due to a hamstring injury. The Lions have moved forward with a three-back committee featuring Ty Johnson, J.D. McKissic and Paul Perkins.

Carson was a surprise starter for the Lions last week, but a hamstring injury will end his season. With Carson on injured reserve, Ty Johnson becomes more attractive as a flex play in Oakland this week. The Lions, however, did activate Paul Perkins from the practice squad, but Johnson is the clear favorite for touches.

Carson (5-foot-11 and 227 pounds) offers the most size of the Lions’ new-look backfield and will likely continue to see a decent amount of early-down work if active. Coach Matt Patricia handed Carson the start ahead of everyone’s waiver-wire darling, but Ty Johnson did get the majority of the backfield’s snaps: Johnson (40% snap rate, 7 carries, 4 targets in Week 8), Carson (30% snap rate, 12 carries, 0 targets), J.D. McKissic (25% snap rate, 1 carry, 3 targets) and Paul Perkins (10% snap rate, 3 carries, 0 targets). Johnson actually could’ve had a much bigger day if he didn’t have multiple solid runs nullified by penalty. He and Matthew Stafford also barely failed to connect on a pair of deep throws down the sideline.

It’s a sign the Lions aren’t counting on having Tra Carson (hamstring) this week. Detroit debuted a predictably bleak look with Carson, Ty Johnson and J.D. McKissic rounding out the team’s post-Kerryon backfield in Week 8. Ajayi, who has fully recovered from last year’s ACL tear, worked out for the Cardinals last week but they passed on him in favor of signing Zach Zenner and Alfred Morris. If he were to sign, Ajayi would immediately become the Lions’ top ball-carrier, though obviously that isn’t a particularly high bar to clear right now.

Carson was downgraded to limited participation at Thursday’s practice due to a hamstring injury. Patricia is labeling him “day to day,” though it’s telling that the Lions added a running back (Paul Perkins) to their practice squad on Friday. With Carson’s availability suddenly in question, Ty Johnson and J.D. McKissic could have elevated roles Sunday at Oakland.

Carson was a full participant Wednesday, so he must have gotten hurt Thursday. The former UDFA surprisingly led Detroit’s backfield committee in Week 8 but only managed 34 yards on 12 carries in a win over the Giants. Ty Johnson’s arrow is pointing up with Carson suddenly looking iffy for Sunday’s game in Oakland.

Claimed off waivers 10 days ago, Carson surprisingly drew the first start in the Lions’ post-Kerryon Johnson backfield and led in carries. Ty Johnson did maintain a snap edge, and was (slightly) more efficient on his seven totes. The Lions have been connected to running backs ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline. If no one is added, Carson will have some low-end FLEX appeal for Week 9 against the Raiders. Johnson is probably still the best play in this backfield, but that isn’t saying much.

Seeing his first action of the season, the recent practice-squad call-up drew 24 snaps while serving as the backup to starter Aaron Jones. Carson has vaulted ahead of rookie Dexter Williams (a healthy scratch) in Green Bay’s backfield pecking order. He’ll continue to fill a change-of-pace role in Jamaal Williams’ (concussion) absence.