KERRYON JOHNSON

Kerryon Johnson's career hardly lasted four seasons despite being a second-round pick. His career was riddled with injuries, and he is pointing the finger at a former head coach.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are busy getting their draft class signed ahead of the team’s three-day rookie minicamp. The team made the signings of seventh-round running back Jermar Jefferson and third-round defensive tackle Alim McNeill official ahead of today’s minicamp. It’s worth noting Sewell is expected to miss the team’s rookie minicamp due to a positive coronavirus test. He ran for 521 yards and eight touchdowns, adding 357 yards and two touchdown receptions in 13 games. Boyd is one year removed from rushing for 1,133 yards and eight touchdowns inside the SEC.

ALLEN PARK -- Kerryon Johnson was one of the best high-school prospects in one of the most football-rich states in the country. He chose Auburn, where he became the rushing leader in the nation’s best conference and a second-round pick of the Detroit Lions. “It was a little weird,” Johnson told reporters during a press conference in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Johnson was selected with the 43rd pick in the 2018 draft, Matt Patricia’s first in Detroit. That’s what I’m going to give, that’s what I’m going to fight for, that’s what I’m going to do, that’s who I’m going to be.

Kerryon Johnson, the Detroit Lions' second-round pick in 2018, was claimed Friday by the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Lions have informed Johnson — who was selected No. 43 overall in 2018 — he's being waived, according to a league source familiar with the decision.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are waiving former second-round pick Kerryon Johnson per the NFL Network. New Lions running backs coach Duce Staley has said he sees a “three-down back” when he looks at Swift. Holmes has expressed confidence in Jefferson’s one-cut ability to be a slippery back on Detroit’s inside zone looks. He runs hard, he just has a natural feel from a lot of inside zone stuff,” Holmes said of the rookie back. “But he can do all phases, gap power stuff, inside zone stuff.

The Detroit Lions are waiving running back Kerryon Johnson, according to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport.

This is the fifth of an eight-part series previewing the Detroit Lions’ positional needs and priorities heading into the NFL draft, which is scheduled for April 29-May 1. Detroit’s top three running backs form a solid trio for a team expected to pound the rock under offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn in 2021. Etienne seems to check all the boxes when considering what Detroit could be looking for at running back. Patterson was Buffalo’s offense last year in the pandemic-altered season, running 141 times for 1,072 yards and 19 touchdowns. The top of Detroit’s running back rotation feels locked for 2021, but that doesn’t mean this team won’t go fishing for more depth.

You want to make your guys better? Roster moves are much easier to quantify, and the Lions have made some changes during the first wave of free agency. He’ll have a better supporting cast too, with Josh Hill signed in free agency to replace the dearly departed Jesse James. Because the Detroit Lions’ pass rush was awful any way you want to measure it. At long snapper, Don “Death And Taxes” Mulhbach returns for his 167th season in Detroit, give or take.

FILE - San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart, File)As the NFL opened its business year Wednesday, veterans Trent Williams, A.J. The Seahawks addressed another need, agreeing to terms with tight end Gerald Everett on a one-year deal. Ad— Kansas City agreed to a $5 million contract for next season with three-time Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long, who will come out of retirement. — New England brought back center Ted Karras on a one-year, $4 million contract.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are signing Jamaal Williams away from the Green Bay Packers to a two-year deal worth up to $7.5 million per the NFL Network. This move pairs another versatile back with D’Andre Swift while adding uncertainty to recent second-round pick Kerryon Johnson’s future. Williams, 25, has spent his entire four-year career on the other side of the NFC North in Green Bay. Williams has managed at least 100 carries, 450 rushing yards and 25 catches in each of his four seasons. Not to mention the Packers spending a second-round pick on running back A.J.

This is the second of an eight-part series previewing the Detroit Lions’ positional needs heading into free agency. He didn’t see the ball much, running 52 times for 181 yards and two scores, but ranked as the fourth-best pass blocker among running backs and fullbacks per Pro Football Focus. Lynn is known for getting the most out of his backfield, with the well-respected Duce Staley coaching his running backs in Detroit. 2021 NFL draft: 5 running backs who could make sense for the Detroit LionsMark Ingram is another name worth tracking after seeing his role vanish in Baltimore. Related: D’Andre Swift’s role could double for Detroit Lions next season

14:57 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 36David Blough is on after the defense forces the turnover on downs. Detroit won’t get blanked today -- Bucs 40, Lions 711:01 -- Tampa Bay Bucs drive starts on own 18Third-and-3, timeout Detroit. HALFTIME -- Tampa Bay Bucs 34, Detroit Lions 0Halftime analysis: This Lions defense could go down as the worst ever. 9:02 -- Tampa Bay Bucs drive starts on own 9Great tackle by Jamal Agnew to pin the Bucs deep. 14:15 -- Tampa Bay Bucs drive starts on own 49Tampa Bay is rolling thanks to the short field.

The Detroit Lions will hold out hope as long as they can that Matthew Stafford can play at Tennessee with banged-up ribs. Stafford stayed in the game to hand off to Kerryon Johnson for a touchdown on the next play, but was evaluated by the team's medical staff on the sideline. Stafford went toward the locker room, returned to throw passes near the benches before going back out of sight. “That guy loves to play football and it’s going to take a lot to keep him out," Bevell said. STOCK UPThe Lions have missed on a lot of draft picks, but T.J. Hockenson is not one of them.

DETROIT -- Jeff Okudah’s season is over, while Matthew Stafford’s might not be. The X-rays came back negative on Stafford’s injured ribs, and the Detroit Lions will monitor his progress this week before making a call on his availability for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans. “You guys know how tough Matthew is,” interim head coach Darrell Bevell said on Monday evening. Stafford watched Chase Daniel finish the game in his place, then headed for the X-ray room at Ford Field. You have to get your body used to this grind and this type of season that you have in the National Football League.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions lost 41-25 in ugly fashion to the Houston Texans on Thanksgiving. Stafford finished 28 of 42 passing for 295 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Stafford nearly caught a touchdown later in the game, with Detroit trying to get a little weird to catch the Texans sleeping. Stafford averaged 4.4 completed air yards per throw and 7.7 intended air yards per throw, both below his season averages. Stafford nearly caught a touchdown, and it was a solid challenge from the Lions to give that another look.

Texans 23, Lions 17HALFTIME -- Houston Texans 23, Detroit Lions 14Halftime analysis: Lions trail after coughing up 3 turnovers in sloppy start on ThanksgivingSecond quarter:09 -- Houston Texans drive starts on own 9Halftime. 6:15 -- Houston Texans drive starts on own 25The Texans are moving, getting the ball into Will Fuller’s hands. Lions 14, Texans 1314:54 -- Houston Texans drive starts on own 21Houston fumbled it right back, this is disgusting. Texans 13, Lions 74:32 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 23Jonathan Williams fumbles, Texans recover. Deshaun Watson (Since Week 5)➤ Total Pass EPA: +65.0 (2nd, Mahomes: +81.1)➤ Total Rush EPA: +16.3 (2nd, Murray: +24.8)#WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/oSVC0uzPD9 — Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 24, 2020DVOA offensive ranking: Lions 15th | Texans 14thDVOA defensive ranking: Lions 25th | Texans 29thPassing yards per game: Lions 247.5 (15th) | Texans 274.3 (8th)Rushing yards per game: Lions 95.4 (29th) | Texans 84.6 (31st)Points per game: Lions 22.7 (23rd) | Texans 22.7 (23rd)Points allowed per game: Lions 28.7 (28th) | Texans 27.2 (23rd)Passing yards allowed per game: Lions 258.4 (25th) | Texans 252.4 (22nd)Rushing yards allowed per game: Lions 139.0 (30th) | Texans 159.3 (32nd)Takeaways: Lions 10 (28th) | Texans 5 (32nd)

ALLEN PARK -- Adrian Peterson is expected to start for the Detroit Lions this weekend with running back D’Andre Swift out with a brain injury in concussion protocol. Lions running back coach Kyle Caskey confirmed Swift would be out ahead of the team’s official game designations for Sunday. Caskey said Peterson would lead things off, with running back Kerryon Johnson spelling him while the group finds the right rhythm. This news comes one week after Swift made the first start of his career. Peterson, very amusingly, detailed his reaction to finding out Swift was starting last week during Friday’s media availability.

ALLEN PARK -- Adrian Peterson is expected to start for the Detroit Lions this weekend with running back D’Andre Swift out with a brain injury in concussion protocol. Lions running back coach Kyle Caskey confirmed Swift would be out ahead of the team’s official game designations for Sunday. Related: Related: D’Andre Swift, Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola ruled out by Lions; Matthew Stafford questionable“I’m saying this with all truthfulness, that’s a good question. The move to Swift starting felt like a long time coming, and not just to fans or armchair quarterbacks sitting at home. Related: Kenny Golladay, D’Andre Swift, Danny Amendola miss another Lions practice; Matthew Stafford inPeterson, very amusingly, detailed his reaction to finding out Swift was starting last week during Friday’s media availability.

ALLEN PARK -- Things are looking bleak from a fantasy football perspective ahead of this weekend’s matchup between the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers. Both starting quarterbacks are working through injuries, not to mention breakout rookie running back D’Andre Swift is in concussion protocol after a midweek brain injury. Star Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey is also not expected to play in Week 11. ESPN had Swift ranked as the 14th best running back play for Week 11 in standard PPR leagues. The third-year back ran only once last week but took four carries for 29 yards and three catches for 36 yards the week before.

But the Detroit Lions running back is thriving in pass protection and making the most of his limited touches out of the backfield. Johnson ran four times for 29 yards while adding three catches for 36 yards during last week’s loss in Minnesota. Bevell spoke with reporters via Zoom on Tuesday, saying Johnson has done “exactly what we wanted him to do" to this point. Johnson saw four rush attempts last week, which were his first since Detroit’s Week 6 trip to Jacksonville, though. Last week, Bevell admitted the running game wasn’t anywhere near where he or the team wants it to be.

Still, Peterson’s production has been abating for weeks now, and Detroit continues to search for the right combination to break the running game out of its funk. Obviously the defense has something to do with that, and we have to make sure that we’re handing that the right way. But he’s been inconsistent too, rushing for 116 yards on 14 carries in Jacksonville, but just 28 yards on 15 carries since. "I’m sure you can go back and count the number of plays that different players are in. It’s important for us to make sure we’re using our guys the right way, but you can’t necessarily always just base it off what the stats look like.

Colts 41, Lions 2113:36 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 25The Lions open with a sack, loss of 6 yards. Colts 35, Lions 2113:34 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 25Pick 6 by Kenny Moore. 8:53 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 21It’s third-and-12 after an incompletion and a Swift rush attempt moving backward. 11:00 -- Indianapolis Colts drive starts on own 29Two runs by Jordan Wilkins is going to make it third-and-2 for the Colts. 3:46 -- Indianapolis Colts drive starts on Detroit’s 48The Colts are looking at a third-and-4 after two running plays.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions added yet another running back to their backfield in Jonathan Williams. Williams impressed as a late addition to Detroit’s crowded backfield amid training camp and even made its initial practice squad. Williams was released not long after, most recently landing with Washington’s practice squad. Lions running back Bo Scarbrough was also recently activated from injured reserve but wasn’t active for the team’s win in Atlanta. Peterson was dealing with an abdomen injury this week in practice but was a full participant to end the week.

Peterson’s grip on the rushing attack has forced Kerryon Johnson and second-round rookie D’Andre Swift into complementary roles. Please stick with us for some Lions and Saints players to start, but stay far away from Detroit’s backfield this weekend. The veteran back finished with 75 yards on 22 carries, so that’s 21 for 58 yards outside of his first attempt. The running back caught five passes for 60 yards the week before, and three for 15 yards in the opener. Swift also scored from the goal line in the opener, so it might require more fantasy patience than expected for his role to develop.

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions activated safety Jayron Kearse after he served a three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on substance abuse. Detroit released running back Ty Johnson on Thursday to clear a roster spot for Kearse. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Kearse signed a one-year, $2 million deal with Detroit as a free agent. The Lions drafted Johnson out of Maryland in the sixth round last year and he had 63 carries for 273 yards as a rookie. Detroit (1-2) hosts New Orleans (1-2) on Sunday.

ALLEN PARK -- Jesse James entered last week’s game in Arizona without a catch, let alone a target to his name. James made a 15-yard catch on third-and-1 and later caught a 5-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-1 to give the Lions a 10-7 lead. First-year Lions tight ends coach Ben Johnson echoed that sentiment on Tuesday, saying the team would throw to James no matter the situation. We have no hesitation to go ahead and throw him the ball and know that he’s going to come through for us. He’s (Hockenson) done a really nice job in man-to-man situations right now, being able to create separation, and I think he’s really confident in his ability to get open.

ALLEN PARK -- It was the fourth quarter, and the Lions were facing a third-and-4 while still trailing Arizona by three points. That’s a really big play, and Kerryon Johnson came up really big for it. “Kerryon really, to me, was player of the game,” offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. That’s really where he stuck out this past game.”And that’s why Kerryon Johnson continues to play despite being displaced as the lead rusher. But Johnson has been in good spirits about his evolving role, and embraced the dirty work that helps win games.

ALLEN PARK -- Adrian Peterson might not be the every-down back he once was, but he sounds more than comfortable in his role with the Detroit Lions. Peterson, 35, came blazing out of the gates with 93 yards on 14 carries with three catches and 21 yards in the opener. The veteran’s role was reduced this past Sunday in Green Bay, though, seeing only seven carries for 41 yards in the loss. If it is four carries, I’m gonna take advantage of those four carries. If it’s four snaps, I’m going to take advantage of those four snaps, you know?

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Matt Patricia was so hard on the Lions in his first season that he fractured the locker room. They’ve lost 11 straight games overall, an NFL high, leaving Patricia at just 9-23-1 in Detroit. “As hard as I work, as hard as my teammates work, (coaches) work the same,” Johnson said. “We have to go out and play better, that’s the biggest thing. We got to play better in all three phases.

Jones rushed for a career-high 168 yards and scored three touchdowns, including a 75-yard breakaway, as the Green Bay Packers rallied from an early 11-point deficit to beat the Detroit Lions 42-21 on Sunday. After his first touchdown of the day, a 7-yard reception from Aaron Rodgers, Jones did a different kind of Lambeau Leap. Rodgers was 18 of 30 for 240 yards with touchdown passes to Jones and Robert Tonyan. Green Bay took the lead for good 17-14 on Rodgers’ 11-yard pass to Tonyan with 14 seconds left in the second quarter. Packers receiver Davante Adams (hamstring), center Corey Linsley (hand) and running back/receiver Tyler Ervin (concussion) left in the second half.

The Detroit Lions aren’t even getting creative with how they lose anymore. Now Detroit has lost eight straight games against the division, 11 games overall, and this regime is fast-approaching a crossroads. They didn’t hit Rodgers a single time until the second half, after hitting Mitchell Trubisky just four times all last week. Aaron Jones led the way with 168 yards on 18 carries, 75 of which came on that long touchdown run to open the second half. -- The Lions continued their protests against police brutality for a second straight week.

Fourth quarter2:13 -- Green Bay Packers drive starts on Detroit’s 40The Packers will look to run the clock out with the reserve offense. 6:14 -- Green Bay Packers drive starts on own 36Detroit forces a punt on the three-and-out with 4:30 left. 7:33 -- Green Bay Packers drive starts on own 14The Packers come out riding Aaron Jones down the field. Packers 34, Lions 148:32 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 25Kerryon Johnson opens the drive with a drop. Packers 17, Lions 141:45 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 7D’Andre Swift opens the drive with a 5-yard run.

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) ALLEN PARK, Mich. The Detroit Lions have signed running back Jonathan Williams, adding depth in the backfield behind Kerryon Johnson and rookie D'Andre Swift. Detroit released running back Wes Hills on Monday to clear a spot on the roster. Williams has 329 yards rushing on 79 carries with two touchdowns over parts of three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills.

The Dolphins get the one-win Bengals in Week 16, meaning the journeyman quarterback will remain fantasy relevant for one more week. WR Breshad Perriman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Perriman is my top add of the week, and frankly, it isnt very close. TE Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins Let me preface this by saying the tight end options on the waiver wire are not great this week. The second-year tight end finished with four receptions for 47 yards, but should have more success against Cincinnati this week. As long as he plays, Fant will be one of the top streaming options at tight end in Week 16.

The Detroit Lions wrapped up a turbulent week with an important victory thanks to another sharp performance by Matthew Stafford. But officials decided there was no foul for pass interference, and the ball went over to the Lions. WHATS WORKINGA week after Marvin Jones caught four touchdown passes, the Lions showed how many receiving threats they have. Im just trying to read every play appropriately and trust in our guys that theyre going to win, Stafford said. NEXT STEPSThe Lions play their next two games on the road, starting this weekend against the Oakland Raiders.

It's a game most expect the Lions to win, and it's a must-win game for the Lions to stop the bleeding. Show up on defenseThe Vikings dominated the Lions' defense last week and made the Lions' ugly defensive numbers real. READ: Where does Kerryon Johnson's injury leave the Lions' running game? Pressure the QBTo have a good game on defense, the Lions need to get pressure on the quarterback. Getting a couple of sacks and pressures would be big for the Lions' defense.

DETROIT (AP) The Detroit Lions have taken a lot of hits lately. We have to focus on the Giants and move forward, receiver Marvin Jones said. WELCOME BACKGiants receiver Golden Tate was dealt by Detroit last season to Philadelphia. The Lions signed former Giants running back Paul Perkins, for the second time in two weeks, after Kerryon Johnson went on IR. DEFENSIVE WOESThe Giants defense has played one complete game this season, and playing well for a half has become the norm.

At this point, your fantasy team is over the halfway mark and gearing up for a playoff run. With that in mind, as every week, we brought in the guys from Fantasy Football Today to weigh in on the best matchups of the week. Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford whose team hosts the New York Giants. Stafford has regularly been a fairly reliable option fantasy wise, but this week there is extra reason to get him in your starting lineup. The team placed running back Kerryon Johnson on injured reserve, meaning that rookie Ty Johnson will be the lead back.

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 07: Kerryon Johnson #33 of the Detroit Lions runs for yardage against Oren Burks #42 of the Green Bay Packers during the second half at Ford Field on October 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT - The Detroit Lions have placed running back Kerryon Johnson on the injured reserve list with a knee injury, the team announced. The Lions hope Johnson can return before the end of the season. Detroit drafted Johnson with the 43rd overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. Kerryon Johnson #33 of the Detroit Lions runs for a first down during the first quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Ford Field on September 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan.

The first loss of the season for the Detroit Lions may have actually given them more legitimacy as playoff contenders. The Lions battled the Kansas City Chiefs all the way to the final minute Sunday before finally losing 34-30. Along the way, Detroit made some colossal blunders, fumbling inside the Kansas City 10-yard line twice in the third quarter. Those mistakes cost the Lions dearly, but in spite of all that, Detroit re-took the lead twice in the second half. Detroit outgained Kansas City 447-438.

(PhotoDETROIT - It was a highly anticipated matchup that didn't disappoint: The Kansas City Chiefs needed a comeback to beat the Detroit Lions 34-30 on Sunday at Ford Field. Kerryon Johnson #33 of the Detroit Lions runs for a first down during the first quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Ford Field on September 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions were just 3-for-6 in the red zone, with both Stafford and Johnson losing fumbles -- one of which was returned for a Chiefs touchdown. Darrel Williams #31 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after scoring a 1 yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter in the game at Ford Field on September 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a late fourth quarter touchdown during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Ford Field on September 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Kerryon Johnson of the Detroit Lions goes up for a pass against Anthony Hitchens of the Kansas City Chiefs in the third quarter at Ford Field on September 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Then the Lions and Chiefs combined to lose five fumbles in the third quarter - all in Kansas City territory. On the next play, Stafford tried to scramble to his left and fumbled the ball away. The Lions got the ball back quickly after another Kansas City fumble and drove to the 1. "The ball comes loose and then the ball was picked up by Kansas City, No.

DETROIT - Darrel Williams ran for a go-ahead, 1-yard touchdown with 23 seconds left for his second score in the fourth quarter, lifting the Kansas City Chiefs to a 34-30 win over the Detroit Lions. Stafford threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Golladay with 2:26 left to give Detroit a 30-27 lead. The reigning MVP had thrown at least two touchdown passes in 14 straight games, one short of the NFL record set by Peyton Manning. Stafford's second touchdown pass of the game - and first to Golladay - put Detroit up 23-20 and followed a fifth fumble in the third quarter. INJURIESChiefs: DE Alex Okafor (hip) and LB Damien Wilson (concussion) left in the fourth quarter.

Anderson has played in three Super Bowls and won one, the type of success that might feel like a different galaxy to Detroit fans. In fact, the 28-year-old running back has appeared in eight postseason games only two fewer than the Lions have played since Anderson was born. Detroit is coming off a 6-10 season, but the running game was an area of improvement in 2018 thanks to rookie Kerryon Johnson. Now Anderson arrives after spending time with three franchises last season, eventually landing with the Los Angeles Rams and helping them reach the Super Bowl. Anderson says after he worked out for the Lions last season, general manager Bob Quinn indicated that Detroit might be interested in him in the future.