David Johnson in all probability did not suppose he could be in a contest for carries after one season with the Houston Texans That is the enterprise of the NFL, particularly for a franchise that’s set to enter a large rebuild.

Johnson will without end be linked to the controversial commerce of DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals as his efficiency with the Texans is monitored sport by sport. This season, Johnson is searching for to retain his position because the No. 1 choice as Houston added Phillip Lindsay and Mark Ingram II in free company — two operating backs who’ve loads of beginning expertise. 

“I feel will probably be nice,” Johnson mentioned in regards to the potential of splitting carries this 12 months. “I feel will probably be nice for us as a result of it would assist us all keep wholesome and play on this lengthy season, now listening to that they’ll add one other sport to the season. 

“I feel will probably be nice for us having veteran guys. That means we will all play collectively and it will not be loads of studying to be an expert athlete. Guys are actually revered within the league, guys are accountable, actual good professionals within the league. I feel it would assist out quite a bit with this crew, with the crew morale and getting everybody going, particularly with this run sport. It was a troublesome operating sport final 12 months and hopefully we will all — all three of us — can contribute and get this factor going.”

The 17-game season will play a job in operating backs splitting touches across the league, so Johnson is trying towards the scenario as a constructive (though he admitted he is not a fan of the additional sport). Johnson rushed for 691 yards and 6 touchdowns in 12 video games in 2020, averaging a career-high 4.7 yards per carry. He additionally had 33 receptions for 314 yards and two touchdowns, totaling 1,005 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns. 

Johnson will likely be 30 in December and has loads of put on and tear on his physique, so limiting his touches will likely be a great factor. At the least that is how he is embracing issues going ahead. 

“Competitors goes to make us all higher and it will begin within the spring,” Johnson mentioned. “Hopefully, we will do one thing with COVID happening, nevertheless it’ll switch all the best way to the season. I feel with us competing in opposition to one another, making an attempt to make one another higher and all of us making an attempt to see the sector, it will make our crew higher, make our operating sport higher and make our offense higher.”