Detroit Lions: 5 free agents to replace Kerryon Johnson

With the news the Detroit Lions will be without running back Kerryon Johnson due to a knee injury, here are five free agents options to replace him.

There was a reason Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson fell to the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Although most analysts agreed Johnson was a talented running back, he had a disturbing injury history that went all the way back to high school. When the Detroit Lions traded up in the second round to draft Kerryon, they felt they got a steal.

And through the first 10 games of last season, the Lions did. Johnson rushed for 641 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He cracked the century-mark twice, something that hadn’t been done in Detroit since the days of Reggie Bush.

Unfortunately, Johnson suffered an injury to his left knee that eventually landed him on injured reserve, cutting his rookie season short by six games. This offseason, the Lions added offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell to the staff with the hopes he’d be able to improve Detroit’s rushing attack. And Bevell’s primary weapon figured to be a healthy Kerryon.

Through six games, Johnson has suffered through a sophomore slump, rushing for 308 yards and two scores while averaging a disappointing 3.3 yards per carry average. And in the 42-30 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Kerryon suffered an injury to his right knee that figures to have him out for an unspecified amount of time.

UPDATE: The Lions have now placed Kerryon Johnson on Injured Reserve for the second straight season. That according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Despite having sixth-round rookie Ty Johnson, J.D. McKissic, and Tra Carson on the active roster to fill-in for Johnson, the Lions might also find his replacement via free agency. Here are five names Detroit might consider …