READY TO PROVE HIMSELF
Cards RB Logan healthy and ready to finally play
Running off the field after mandatory minicamp practices was different for Cardinals running back T.J. Logan last week. Fellow running back David Johnson wasn’t around, deciding to skip practice while presumably seeking a contract extension. ❚ Logan and Johnson became close last year while recovering from seasonending wrist injuries. Throughout their time together during the rehab process, Logan began to view Johnson as a mentor. ❚ Logan missed Johnson’s presence last week but had no trouble taking care of his responsibilities. ❚ “I would say it’s weird because he’s always right next to me laughing and stuff,” Logan said. “I fully support him and the whole team supports him. Not seeing him out there, we just had the next-man-up mentality, and that’s what we did.” ❚ Johnson, of course, is a known commodity around the NFL while Logan has yet to play an official game, suffering a dislocated wrist during last summer’s Hall of Fame game.
“I still wear my rookie backpack, so I consider this my rookie year. I know in the eyes of all the people it won’t be, but I consider this my rookie year because I’m still learning.” T.J. Logan
Cardinals RB who was injured in the first preseason game in 2017
Almost a year since the injury, Logan has loved being back on the field with his peers.
“It’s been great,” Logan said. “Just trying to really get my wind back, because I haven’t been out there running too many plays. It’s been good, just trying to go off my brace and just use tape, so it’s been good so far.”
Despite sporting a brace, Logan says he’s “definitely” healthy and is wearing the brace as a safety measure.
“Nah, I’m just doing it for precautions right now,” Logan said. “When we start training camp (July 28), I’m going to take it off and just try to put some pressure on it.”
Logan wants to take it slowly and hopes to be ready for the season opener Sept. 9 against the Washington Redskins. The 23-year-old considers himself a rookie, not only because he hasn’t played an official game yet, but also because he’s still treated as one by his peers.
“Yeah, man, I definitely consider it,” Logan said. “I still wear my rookie backpack, so I consider this my rookie year. I know in the eyes of all the people it won’t be, but I consider this my rookie year because I’m still learning.”
For those curious, Logan relayed that the backpack simply says, “NFL Rookie.”
Despite being a second-year rookie, Logan looks at it as an advantage. He was able to spend a majority of his time with Johnson and also being around the experienced players and coaches, thus expanding his information on the game he loves.
“Really just my knowledge of the game,” Logan said. “I feel like a lot of people ask, ‘Is the game faster?’ and I really can’t tell, I feel like it’s kind of the same. The guys on the other side, they know more of the game, they’re more knowledgeable.”
Logan’s ability to process the information he’s received, work ethic and potential of becoming a special running back, has led to Johnson giving him high praise.
“He showed some great flashes last year,” Johnson said via the team’s website. “He’s a fast guy. I didn’t realize it until I was running next to him when we were hurt last year. He showed flashes in that Cowboys game, with that kick return and at running back.’’
Despite the adulation, Logan believes he’s capable of showing more to his peers.
“It’s a lot because I only played one game,” Logan said. “They didn’t really get to see too much of me, but I worked hard in training camp and I feel like they saw that.”