Bruce Arians Says He Doubts David Johnson Returns This Season

The Cardinals now doubt they can get David Johnson back before 2018.

Cardinals running back David Johnson’s wrist injury is likely to keep him out for the rest of the 2017 season, head coach Bruce Arians told reporters Tuesday. 

Asked if he anticipated getting Johnson and T.J. Logan back on the field this season, Arians replied, “Right now, I doubt it.”

Arians said earlier this month that Johnson could theoretically return around Thanksgiving (Week 12), which is earlier than his initial estimate of a Christmas return. 

The Cardinals struggled to get anything going on the ground once Johnson went down, turning to veteran Chris Johnson. After Johnson averaged just 2.5 yards per carry, Arizona acquired Adrian Peterson from the Saints. Peterson rebounded from an underwhelming start in New Orleans to average 4.2 yards per attempt in his first two games with the Cards. 

Arizona (3–4) is on the periphery of the NFC playoff race and facing an uphill battle without quarterback Carson Palmer, who broke his arm before the bye week.