When the Houston Texans traded star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for declining running back David Johnson earlier this offseason, the entire NFL world was scratching its head.

Trading a dynamite wideout in his prime for an aging, injury-prone halfback? It didn't make much sense.

However, Texans head coach/general manager Bill O'Brien tried to explain his rationale in making the move this week, stating that he feels Johnson can fit well with Duke Johnson in the backfield:

“We studied David when he was coming out of college and during his career in Arizona,” O'Brien said, according to Jeffri Chadiha of NFL.com. “Everybody has to go through their injuries and coaching changes. But you're also talking about a guy who was Arizona's Walter Payton Man of the Year. (Johnson received that honor in 2019 for his community service efforts.) He's tough and smart and a three-down back who can be used with (fellow Texans running back) Duke Johnson.”

David Johnson battled ankle injuries in 2019, playing in 13 games and rushing for just 345 yards and a couple of touchdowns while averaging 3.7 yards per carry. He also caught 36 passes for 370 yards and four scores.

The 28-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Northern Iowa, was originally selected by the Cardinals in the third round (86th pick overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft.

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Johnson had a breakout campaign in 2016, racking up 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground while hauling in 80 receptions for 879 yards and four scores en route to a Pro Bowl appearance and a First-Team All-Pro selection.

Since then, however, injuries have derailed Johnson's career.