Detroit Lions at the halfway mark: Positional report cards

Running Backs

The Lions figure to end this decade the way they spent most of the previous one: wondering when they will find a sustainable running game and who will lead it. That was supposed to be second-year player Kerryon Johnson. However, he was shelved with a knee injury after a Week 7 loss and is only eligible to return in Week 16. That’s a best-case scenario and seems unlikely unless the Lions are miraculously in playoff contention that late in the season.

Johnson was having a so-so start to his sophomore campaign, and his second significant knee injury in as many seasons to start his career casts some serious doubt about his ability to be the reliable, productive back that the Lions sorely need. He’ll be back in 2020, but the Lions will likely look to add some insurance behind him.

In his stead has been a rotating crew of mostly young, unproven players who have yet to move the needle much. Rookie Ty Johnson has gotten the majority of the snaps since Johnson’s injury, totaling 68 offensive plays over the past two games. He just hasn’t done much with the playing time, averaging 17.1 yards on the ground on the season.

J.D. McKissic has been a nice find for Quinn, claimed off of waivers in September. He is averaging 7.0 yards per carry, and he could be a candidate for a heavier workload out of the backfield in the second half of the season, especially if Johnson isn’t ready to take the lead. Paul Perkins has shuttled between the practice squad and the active roster, and has just six carries in three games.

The Lions’ continued struggles in the running game are as much a product of poor run blocking up front as it is a lack of depth and talent in the backfield. With their yards per attempt average wallowing in the bottom third of the league, it’s a wonder that they continue to pile up yardage and have remained competitive in most of their games this season. It’s just par for the course for the decade.

Grade: C