Coach eager to see Duke in action
O’Brien is excited to see what new running back Johnson brings to field once his hamstring is healed
The Texans envision a dynamic backfield tailored around the skills of dual-threat quarterback Deshaun Watson along with a strong running back tandem.
Seeking to upgrade the flexibility and explosiveness of their offense, the Texans traded a 2020 fourth-round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns to acquire running back Duke Johnson.
Once his hamstring finishes healing up and he’s able to practice, Johnson will team up with fellow University of Miami football alum Lamar Miller.
Johnson excels as a pass-catching presence inside and outside of the backfield and has a darting running style.
“We have a vision for how we want to use him,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said Saturday one day after Johnson passed his physical and officially joined the roster. “We’re excited about it. We’ve got to get him rehabbed.
“Played 16-game seasons, been very productive, has played on special teams. We just have to get him out on a field and try to start seeing him within the vision that we have for him.”
The Texans will have plenty of time to utilize Johnson. He’s under contract through the 2021 season and is due base salaries of $1.8 million, $3.6 million and $4.65 million under a $15.6 million contract extension.
Eclipsed on the depth chart by Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, Johnson became expendable for the Browns.
That led to the Texans, who are operating without a general manager and with a committee approach under the authority of O’Brien working in tandem with executives Chris Olsen and Matt Bazirgan since the team fired general manager Brian Gaine, to execute a trade with Browns general manager John Dorsey.
“To be honest with you, these types of trades, they take a long time to complete,“O’Brien said. “We worked well with John Dorsey in Cleveland, and it didn’t just happen overnight, so these are things that we’ve been thinking about for a while, along with a hundred other things that are going on this time of the year, just like every other team.”
When Johnson was utilized by the Browns, he has excelled.
In 64 games and 10 starts for Cleveland, Johnson rushed for 1,286 rushing yards and caught 235 passes for 2,170 receiving yards. He has scored 13 touchdowns.
Miller is entering the final year of a four-year, $26 million contract. Whether this is just one season with Miller, the Texans figure to use Johnson a lot as a runner and receiver.
“Duke’s a first-, second-, thirddown running back,” O’Brien said. “He’s played on special teams. Good in the running game, good in the passing game, good professional. Really excited to have him on board and just really look forward to working with him.”
Two seasons ago, Johnson caught a career-high 74 passes for 693 yards.
Johnson should create instant mismatches against linebackers and safeties in single coverage.
For the time being until he’s ready to go, Johnson will continue to watch practice and absorb the offense that way.
“Taking mental reps,” O’Brien said. “Good pro. A lot of people spoke very highly of him, including some people here. Andre Johnson knows him from down in Miami, and Lamar Miller. I had a good meeting with him. He’s a good guy. We’re really excited to have him on board.”
Johnson won’t be playing in the Texans’ second preseason game next Saturday against the Detroit Lions as he continues to rehabilitate his hamstring. The injury prevented him from practicing with the Browns.
O’Brien is convinced that Johnson will be back in plenty of time for the regular season.
“He won’t be in there for Detroit, but he’s on the right track,” O’Brien said. “We feel really good about where he’s at.”