Arizona Cardinals Roster, Injury News 2017: Timeline for Running Back David Johnson's Return Still Unclear
The Arizona Cardinals fans are hoping to see David Johnson back on the field by the end of November, but will he be ready to play by then?
In a recent interview with Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, the All-Pro running back said he's hoping he could return at some point this season, but he admitted that he's not sure when he would be back because he still has a cast on his wrist.
"I hope I do get back, but I really don't know. The wrist is a complicated limb and it's tough to say, just because I still have this cast on. I haven't even started rehab so I don't know yet," Johnson said.
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Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians has previously said the earliest Johnson is expected to return is Thanksgiving, but it sounded like he's going to be out longer.
So should fans be worried? Well, not really.
According to San Diego Union-Tribune, Johnson should be back in no time once he gets his wrist out of the cast and into a splint. The report notes he can return "in as a little as two weeks" once the cast comes off.
The question is, will the Cardinals bring him back if they are already out of the playoffs by late November?
ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio doesn't seem to think that's a good idea if they are already out of the playoff race, and he said the smart thing to do is to keep him on the shelf until next season.
"The Cardinals eventually replaced Johnson with Adrian Peterson, and the 2-4 team arguably would be wise to save Johnson for next year instead of rushing him back this year — especially with hopes quickly fading for a playoff berth, thanks to the broken arm suffered last week by quarterback Carson Palmer," Florio said.
Arians has also admitted that Johnson is unlikely to return this season.
The running back has been on the sidelines since he suffered a dislocated wrist in the Cardinals' season opener against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 10.
