The Houston Texans are showing trade interest in Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle.

Both of the Texans' two halfbacks, Carlos Hyde and Lamar Miller, are set to hit free agency, and it doesn't appear likely that Houston will bring back either one, so the club's interest in Johnson is not surprising.

Wilson notes that the Texans are one of four teams who have expressed interest in Johnson.

Of course, this is not the same Johnson from a few years back.

The 28-year-old is coming off of an injury-plagued 2019 campaign in which he played 13 games and rushed 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.

Johnson battled ankle injuries throughout the year, and even when he was healthy, he was benched in favor of Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds.

The Clinton, Ia. native, 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.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Texans owner Cal McNair

Benjamin Adducchio ·

He had a solid rookie season, totaling 581 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground while logging 4.6 yards per attempt. In addition, he tallied 36 grabs for 457 yards and four scores.

Then, in 2016, Johnson broke out, racking up 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns as a rusher while also 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 and inefficient production have derailed what once looked like a very promising career.