5 sneaky threats for the Panthers to worry about at the Texans
By Miles Ruder
David Johnson – RB
As aforementioned, the Houston Texans running back room is packed. Even behind Mark Ingram and Phillip Lindsay, there’s also David Johnson’s potential impact to consider.
In a way, Johnson has become the forgotten child in Houston.
He was named a First-Team All-Pro running back for the Arizona Cardinals in 2016 but has been plagued by injuries over the years which caused him to land in Houston and fall to third on the depth chart.
Regardless, this is a by-committee backfield, and all the backs are expected to receive extra playing time with them starting an inexperienced rookie quarterback.
In two games, Johnson has only run the ball nine times for 35 yards but can be a big threat as a receiver. He’s caught the third-most passes on the team (5) for 40 yards, including a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1.
With Houston going with Davis Mills under center, the Carolina Panthers should expect a heavy dose of run offense from Ingram, Johnson, and Lindsay.
Whoever gets the rock, the Panthers have a stout run defense as the unit has only allowed 93 rushing yards in two games, the best in the league. They will have to continue producing the goods in this department against a team that will likely rely on the run to move the ball.