The Arizona Cardinals entered the 2017 season with optimism that they'd put 2016 behind them and return to the postseason. Then, star running back David Johnson went down.
The Northern Iowa product was fresh off a breakout campaign where he compiled 1,239 rushing yards, 879 receiving yards, and a ridiculous total of 20 touchdowns. He was picked near or at the top of every fantasy football draft given his reliability week after week in addition to his versatility as a deadly receiver out of the backfield.
Unfortunately, Johnson fractured his left wrist in Week 1, ending his season before it really even started. Without his dynamic play, the Cardinals struggled to consistently score and ended up finishing with an 8-8 record, well short of a playoff spot in what was a stacked NFC race.
Looking ahead to 2018, the fact that Johnson's injury happened all the way back in September bodes well for him returning for Week 1. In fact, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss, Johnson already appears to be ready and is expected to play once the new campaign rolls around:
“All signs point to Johnson being completely healed and ready to go for Week 1. He was out of a cast by the end of last season… Photos on various social media platforms show he looks to be fully functional and ready to play Week 1.”
With Johnson back in the fold, the Cardinals believe they're a quarterback away from contending in the tough NFC West. Patrick Peterson and Larry Fitzgerald have both expressed hope that Kirk Cousins will choose Arizona in free agency, but there are other options available should the former Washington QB choose another interested franchise.
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