Browns send backup running back to Houston

Duke Johnson’s long-standing wish to be traded by the Cleveland Browns was finally granted Thursday.

The running back was dealt to the Houston Texans for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft. The pick would become a third-rounder if Johnson is active for at least 10 games, per multiple reports.

Johnson reported to training camp on time, but stood by his request for the Browns to trade him. The ask did not sit well with the leaders of the franchise.

Johnson is a versatile back in the mould of a traditional third-down receiving threat.

Cleveland GM John Dorsey informed Johnson that Nick Chubb will be the starter for the Browns, who also signed former Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt in February.

The 25-year-old Johnson, Cleveland’s third-round pick in 2015, spent four seasons with the Browns. He totalled 3,456 yards from scrimmage along with eight receiving and five rushing touchdowns.

Rookie defensive end Nick Bosa is out for the pre-season with a “significant” ankle injury, San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch said.

In a radio interview Thursday, Lynch said there are “elements” of a high ankle sprain. The team ran a series of tests Wednesday as Bosa joined a growing list of injured defensive linemen, all unavailable for Saturday’s pre-season opener against Dallas.

Bosa got tangled up during a drill at Wednesday’s practice. The No. 2 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft will aim for the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against Tampa Bay as his targeted return date, Lynch said.

Bosa played only three games at Ohio State last season as a junior due to a core muscle injury before declaring for the draft. The 21-year-old also suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain in May and was limited for much of the off-season.

Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be under centre in the team’s pre-season opener against Cincinnati, coach Andy Reid announced Thursday.

The reigning NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year is expected to play in the first quarter of Saturday’s game before being replaced by backup Chad Henne.

The decision to play Mahomes comes with an element of risk as many NFL teams often opt against putting stars in position to sustain an injury in an exhibition game.