Detroit Lions: The small stats that could make a big difference this season
Small Stat #3: Games played for Kerryon Johnson
Target number: 13 games
Why 13?: Clearly, playing sixteen plus at least another two in the postseason is ideal, but I’ll hedge. Considering that Johnson hasn’t been able to get close to that so far in his short career, I’ll take just thirteen for now.
Despite the injuries (and Jahvid Best parallels that I can’t disagree with), Kerryon brings excitement to the run game, plenty of speed and ability to find gaps between the tackles, and can be used as an every down back due to solid receiving skills.
The injury history is concerning, but there’s still hope considering that he managed to play twelve games in each of three seasons at Auburn.
Trickle Down Effect: It’s been 21 years since it’s happened, but I have to smile considering the Alabama-Auburn rushing attack of Bo Scarbrough and Kerryon Johnson even for 80 percent of the season.
That combo would be enough to finally put the Lions’ ground game back in the top half of the league again, wouldn’t it?