D’Ernest Johnson DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Week 13, leaving rookie Keilan Robinson in line to make his NFL debut as the team's No. 3 running back. Robinson, a rookie out of the University of Texas, was activated from injured reserve last week. Although he is suiting up for his first time as a Jaguar, Robinson could have trouble earning snaps behind Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby. On the other hand, Johnson's de-activation comes as a bit of a surprise. He had been a valuable contributor in his depth role, totaling 117 rushing yards and 77 receiving yards through 11 games.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (hamstring) could get some opportunities to produce this week against the Detroit Lions after being removed from the final Week 11 injury report. With Tank Bigsby out with an ankle injury, Johnson should serve as the clear backup to Travis Etienne Jr. While the Jaguars have used multiple backs for most of the season, that is mostly due to Etienne's previous season performances and Bigsby's emergence this year. In the weeks when Etienne was out due to injury, Johnson didn't produce much. He did do decent against the Patriots in Week 6, producing 70 total yards on 12 touches. However, the Patriots have been one of the worst run defenses this season, while the Lions have been one of the better run defenses. Unless Johnson gets involved in the passing game, he is nothing more than a desperation fantasy option in Week 11 against the Lions.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (hamstring) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice. This is now back-to-back days that Johnson has been limited due to a lingering hamstring issue. Johnson has been quiet lately and only played four offensive snaps during last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. However, Johnson could see a bigger role this weekend with Tank Bigsby (ankle) unable to practice yet this week. Johnson would be the primary backup if Bigsby is unable to play, which would give him an uptick in value.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (hamstring) is officially active on Sunday in Week 10 versus the visiting Minnesota Vikings after being listed as questionable on the final injury report. Johnson will join Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby in Jacksonville's backfield this weekend but won't have any standalone fantasy value. The 28-year-old usually works on obvious passing situations, but he'd need an injury to either Etienne or Bigsby to see significant snaps on offense for the Jags. In his second year with Jacksonville, Johnson has just 28 rushing attempts for 114 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and no touchdowns while catching eight of 13 targets for an additional 77 yards. In the two games that Etienne missed due to injury, Johnson saw 10 carries for 41 yards and caught four of six targets for 52 yards for Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson could suddenly jump from third to first in the depth chart in Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Both Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby are questionable this week, so Johnson would be the next man up. For Johnson to be fantasy-relevant, it would likely take both players to be ruled out. In recent weeks with Etienne Jr. or Bigsby out, the starter dominated the touches. The Eagles are also a tough matchup for running backs in general, so it's hard to see a third-string running back having that much upside against them. With all the injuries to the receiving core though, the starting RB could be more involved in the passing game than usual. It would take two injuries, but Johnson does have potential as a flex play in Week 9 against the Eagles.