Tag: D’Ernest Johnson

Jaguars waive RB Mekhi Sargent amid backfield changes

The Jaguars parted with Mekhi Sargent on Monday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars waived Mekhi Sargent on Monday afternoon, the team announced.

Sargent, 25, joined the Jaguars in December 2021 when he was claimed off waivers by the team. He previously spent parts of his rookie season with the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams.

After joining the Jaguars, Sargent appeared in one game late in the 2021 season and had one carry for two yards. He then spent the entire 2022 season on Jacksonville’s practice squad. In January, the Jaguars retained Sargent with a reserve/future contract.

The Jaguars have made a transformation of their backfield a priority after trading James Robinson during the 2022 season. Travis Etienne Jr took the brunt of the load following that move, although JaMycal Hasty had a bigger role late in the year.

In free agency, the team added former Cleveland Browns running back D’Ernest Johnson and the Jaguars have reportedly had their eyes on several running backs in the 2023 NFL Draft class.

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Trent Baalke says Jaguars see special teams role for D’Ernest Johnson

Trent Baalke says D’Ernest Johnson’s special teams skills are a big part of why the Jaguars signed the running back.

The Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t make a splash signing in the first two weeks of free agency. The biggest addition was running back D’Ernest Johnson who shined in limited usage with the Cleveland Browns.

While Johnson seemingly has the inside track to be the second running back on the depth chart behind Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke says the team sees a role for their new addition that goes beyond offensive contributions.

In an interview with Demetrius Harvey of Florida Times-Union, Baalke said Johnson’s special teams skills played a big factor in the signing.

“When you’re looking, especially at running backs, [a] couple of things [come into play]: free agent value [and] how they play on special teams,” Pederson said Monday at the league meetings in Arizona.

Johnson, 27, only had 141 carries in four seasons with the Cleveland Browns, although he averaged 5.2 yards per attempt. While he was on the field for just 492 offensive snaps in that four-year stretch, Johnson was in on special teams for 733 snaps.

In addition to averaging 24.8 yards on 26 kick returns and 4.4 yards on five punt returns, Johnson also recorded 14 tackles on special teams.

The Jaguars’ backfield now includes Etienne, Johnson, JaMycal Hasty, and Snoop Conner. But Johnson’s special teams skills make him one of the more valuable players for the Jaguars at that position.

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D’Ernest Johnson: ‘Something special’ is brewing in Jacksonville

New Jaguars running back D’Ernest Johnson is excited to join a team on the rise.

It took the Jacksonville Jaguars more than a week to do it, but the team finally made its first free agent addition official Thursday when running back D’Ernest Johnson signed a contract with the team.

Johnson, 27, is a Florida native who spent the last four seasons with the Cleveland Browns. While he said the chance to come back to his home state was part of the motivation for his deal with the Jaguars, he’s also excited to join a team on the rise.

“They’ve got something special going on here, and I want to be a part of it,” Johnson told Jaguars.com after signing his new deal Thursday. “They’ve got a great offense, great quarterback, great wide receivers and a great running back in Travis Etienne. It’s a great team.”

In four years with the Browns, Johnson only got 172 touches, but averaged 5.2 yards per carry and had 967 yards from scrimmage. In Jacksonville, he’ll compete with JaMycal Hasty and Snoop Conner for the second spot on the depth chart behind Etienne.

After missing his entire rookie year due to a foot injury, Etienne finished the 2022 season with 1,125 rushing yards and averaged 5.1 yards per carry. Hasty stepped into the change-of-pace back role following the trade of James Robinson and averaged 4.2 yards per carry on 46 attempts.

The Jaguars finished the year 10th in the NFL in yards per attempt (4.7).

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Browns lose RB D’Ernest Johnson to Jaguars as he signs one-year deal

The Browns are down a running back

As NFL free agency continues along, the Cleveland Browns have lost their third-string running back. Signing a one-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, D’Ernest Johnson departs Cleveland looking for a bigger role.

Johnson will always be remembered fondly for his Thursday Night Football showing against the Denver Broncos in 2021. With all of running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, as well as starting quarterback Baker Mayfield sidelined, Johnson carried the football 22 times for 146 yards and a touchdown in a Browns’ win. He went on to rush for another 100-yard game in Week 18 against the Bengals.

Best of luck to D’Ernest as he heads to Duval County.

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Jaguars reportedly sign RB D’Ernest Johnson to 1-year deal

The Jaguars reportedly added a veteran running back to their backfield on Wednesday.

Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson guaranteed the team would add to its running back room during the 2023 offseason and that promised was fulfilled Wednesday with the addition of running back D’Ernest Johnson on a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Johnson, 27, began his career in rookie minicamp with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2018, but didn’t stick with the team. After a stint with the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football, he signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2019.

In four seasons with the Browns, Johnson only had 141 carries but recorded 738 yards (5.2 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. He also added 229 receiving yards on 31 receptions.

In Jacksonville, Johnson joins a backfield led by Travis Etienne Jr., who had 1,125 rushing yards in his de facto rookie year in 2022.

Behind Etienne are JaMycal Hasty, who re-signed with the Jaguars earlier this month, and 2022 fifth-round pick Snoop Conner.

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One free agent at every position the Browns should target when market opens

The free agency floodgates are almost open. Who should the Browns have their eyes on?

The floodgates of free agency are about to burst as the legal tampering window is set to begin on Monday. For the Cleveland Browns, this means they have an opportunity to make a massive impact on their roster, specifically on the defensive side of the football. They have already been linked to recognizable names who will hit the market, but they have some needs on the other side of the ball as well.

As they look to get back in the playoffs in 2023 after two years off, who is one name per position the Browns could target in free agency to improve their roster?

1 pending free agent Chargers should target: AFC North Edition

Listing one free agent from the Steelers, Ravens, Browns and Bengals who could be a fit for the Chargers.

The Chargers won’t be as aggressive as they have been in recent years when it comes to signing free agents.

While they’re cash-strapped, general manager Tom Telesco will likely make some moves to have some spendings available to them so they can sign some low-cost players.

That said, I will list one pending free agent from each team in the NFL that could be a realistic target for L.A.

Next up is the AFC North.

Browns Injury Report: Ethan Pocic misses practice, joins Jack Conklin, Denzel Ward

Ethan Pocic joins the list of starters out of practice on Thursday

The Cleveland Browns have been without cornerback Denzel Ward and offensive tackle Jack Conklin all week after getting hurt in the 24-10 win against the Washington Commanders. Now as they look to close their season out on a high note against the Pittsburgh Steelers, another starting offensive lineman has joined the newly-extended Conklin on the sideline as center Ethan Pocic has missed Thursday’s practice with an illness.

All-in-all, six players missed practice while two were limited for the Browns on Thursday. Here is the full list of players who appeared on the injury report for the Browns as they prepare to take on the Steelers in this Week 18 showdown.

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Browns Injury Report: Denzel Ward, Jack Conklin miss practice during Steelers week

The Browns were without two starters in Wednesday’s practice.

The Cleveland Browns are coming off of a high after a second half beatdown against the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Sitting at 7-9 on the season, the Browns are looking to end the season on a two-game win streak and a 5-2 run after starting the season 3-7. As the Pittsburgh Steelers and an opportunity to play spoilers yet again approaches, the Browns were without two starters in cornerback Denzel Ward and offensive tackle Jack Conklin in Wednesday’s practice.

They were not the only players who missed practice for the Browns, however. Here is the full list of players who did not take the field during Wednesday’s practice as the Steelers approach.

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PFF lays out 3 trade ideas involving the Rams

Pro Football Focus suggested three trade ideas for the Rams, bringing in two players and shipping off one of their own

The NFL trade deadline is just a week away, and the Los Angeles Rams figure to be a team that’s very active. With needs at running back, edge rusher and along the offensive line, the Rams will be in the market for help at multiple positions.

They already missed out on Christian McCaffrey after offering the Panthers a hefty package of picks and Cam Akers, but Los Angeles will explore other options before next Tuesday’s deadline. Pro Football Focus laid out three potential trade scenarios for the Rams: two on offense and one on defense.

These are very realistic trades the Rams could make, and they wouldn’t force the team to mortgage their future by giving up several top 100 picks.