Former Browns, Texans RB Duke Johnson Back On The Market

Is there any position in all of sports more cutthroat than running back in the NFL? Duke Johnson, a former third round pick out of Miami who hasn’t even turned 28 yet, was just released by the Jaguars, likely signaling the end of another promising RB career.

The former Browns and Texans passing-down back earned a shot with Jacksonville nine days ago after a lengthy free agent period this summer. Johnson did not play in Week One versus his former team, the Texans.

Johnson landed a mid-level extension with the Browns, but was traded by John Dorsey in exchange for Kareen Hunt. The Texans changed regimes this offseason as they entered a total rebuild, and with it, some veterans like Johnson became collateral damage.

Johnson was known as an elite pass-catching back, notching over 400 yards through the air in each of his first five seasons in the league. The Jaguars still have James Robinson, Carlos Hyde and Dare Ogunbowale on their active roster, as well as a practice squad option in Devine Ozigbo.