The Jacksonville Jaguars only named three running backs to their initial 53-man roster, so many fans came into this week expecting a signing at the position. On Monday, the team did just that by bringing in veteran running back Duke Johnson, who is signing with them as a practice squad player, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus.
Former Texans’ running back Duke Johnson is signing today with the Jaguars practice squad, per his agent @DrewJRosenhaus.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2021
Johnson, 27, is a Florida native who went to high school in Miami, Fla. (Miami Norland Senior High School) and attended The University of Miami (Fla.). He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns and spent four seasons with them (2015-18). Afterward, he joined the Houston Texans from 2019-20 and will enter his career with the Jags with 459 carries for 1,931 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He also has 307 career receptions for 2,829 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns.
The Jags lost Travis Etienne for the season as he sustained a Lisfranc injury in their second preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. He was a player the Jags invested a first-round pick in this April and they clearly had plans for him to help out in the receiving game. That’s an area where Johnson thrives and it’s not shocking to see that Urban Meyer wanted his speed on the roster.
Starting Johnson off on the Jags’ practice squad will give the veteran time to get acclimated in terms of conditioning and the playbook. Once he’s clear on that end, it probably won’t take long for the Jags to start making him active on game days.