Jeremiah Johnson Fantasy News

McGahee's hamstring no worse after rough night vs. Jets
Friday, November 18, 2011, 3:16pm

Willis McGahee’s struggles — he picked up 18 yards on 12 carries and didn’t have a run longer than six yards — were endemic of the Broncos' running back corps as a whole. McGahee, Lance Ball, Spencer Larsen and Jeremiah Johnson combined for 47 yards on 25 carries. Johnson bobbled an option pitch from Tim Tebow that resulted in a seven-yard loss, while McGahee lost a fumble.

“That shouldn’t happen,” McGahee said.

While it wasn’t a banner night for McGahee on an individual basis, he didn’t make the healing hamstring worse by playing.

“And I’m surprised by that,” McGahee admitted. “It did a great job. I’m not sore or anything. I’m very pleased with it.”

Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 9:50pm

Willis McGahee was back at practice today for the Broncos, but the team's starting running back isn't a sure thing to play Thursday night against the New York Jets.

McGahee, who injured his left hamstring early in the Broncos' victory over Kansas City on Sunday, went through warm-ups and stretching but did not participate in individual drills in the portion of practice that was open to the media.

The team's only other running backs are Lance Ball, who would start if McGahee is unable to play, and Jeremiah Johnson, signed off the practice squad Monday.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 12:04am

Starting tailback Willis McGahee has been cleared to practice tomorrow when the team holds its only full practice in preparation for Thursday’s game against the New York Jets. McGahee injured his left hamstring early in Sunday’s 17-10 win against Kansas City.

The Broncos released a hypothetical injury report today as required by the NFL, and it said McGahee would have been able to practice today on a limited basis if there had been a practice.

If McGahee’s hamstring holds up well in practice Tuesday, he will start against the Jets and be backed up by Lance Ball and newly-signed running back Jeremiah Johnson, who spent the first half of the season on the practice squad.

Broncos RB Moreno to be placed on IR
Monday, November 14, 2011, 7:55pm

Knowshon Moreno's season is over.

Head coach John Fox said today that Moreno will be placed on injured reserve after the running back tore his anterior cruciate ligament Sunday in Kansas City.

Moreno had an MRI today, and the results revealed that Moreno will need surgery. The Broncos will make a roster move to replace Moreno soon, Fox said. An option is likely practice squad running back Jeremiah Johnson, who has been with the Broncos since the start of training camp.

Fox said starting running back Willis McGahee is "day to day" with a hamstring injury.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 1:37pm

Knowshon Moreno didn't practice last week, missed the Cincinnati game and isn't expected to be full speed this week.

Willis McGahee, now in his ninth NFL season, rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries Sunday, helping the Broncos beat the Bengals 24-22 in Denver. That was McGahee's first 100-yard game since the 2009 regular-season finale, when he was with the Ravens. It was the most carries McGahee had since Dec. 16, 2007, when he gained 104 yards on 29 carries against the Dolphins.

Giving 25 or more carries to McGahee week after week would be a lot to ask of him. And that would beat up the Broncos' best option in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

They likely will work Lance Ball​ into the mix more. Ball gained 28 yards on six carries Sunday, including a 17-yard gallop — the Broncos' longest run of the game. They also may give some carries to Jeremiah Johnson and to fullback Spencer Larsen while waiting for Moreno to return.

Saturday, September 17, 2011, 7:53pm

The Denver Broncos​ have given up hope of getting free agent defensive tackle Ty Warren back this season, placing him on injured reserve Saturday.

The Broncos had kept Warren on the 53-man roster in hopes he'd return from surgery to repair his torn right triceps by mid-November. But they needed his roster spot to promote running back Jeremiah Johnson from their practice squad with Knowshon Moreno hobbled with a hamstring injury.

Warren was the centerpiece of the Broncos' modest free agency plan, signing a two-year, $8 million deal shortly after his release from the Patriots. He was injured in early August and had surgery a week later.

Saturday, September 17, 2011, 7:34pm

As he moves into his third NFL season, Denver Broncos running back Jeremiah Johnson is about to get his first gameday uniform.

With running back Knowshon Moreno not expected to play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a strained hamstring, the Broncos’ coaching staff has informed Johnson that he will be promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.

After rushing for 30 touchdowns in four seasons at Oregon, Johnson went to training camp with Houston as a rookie in 2009 and spent time on practice squads with Washington, Carolina and Denver before he finally got the call.

Willis McGahee is expected to be the Broncos’ starting tailback and get the bulk of the rushing workload with Lance Ball filling the No. 2 tailback role.

But Ball’s single-game high is 15 carries and McGahee hasn’t received more than 16 carries since a 2008 playoff game against Pittsburgh so Johnson may get a handoff or two.

Texans Notes: Foster goal line back, Daniels, Jones
Monday, August 30, 2010, 4:47pm

Beat write John McClain's look at the Texans

• The red zone is still a problem, but remember, they've had two touchdowns called back in the last two games. I think Arian Foster, at 6-1, 227, is going to be good inside the 5. I've been telling people to take him in your fantasy league because they're going to get in the red zone a lot, and they're going to get inside the 5 a lot. I think Foster will score 10 to 15 touchdowns if he stays healthy.

Foster is very disciplined and follows the blocks well. He's always playing with a chip on his shoulder about being bypassed in the draft. That's good for the Texans and bad for opponents.

• Steve Slaton is a good change-of-pace back because he's an outstanding receiver. I'm excited to watch Jeremiah Johnson run against the Buccaneers. Because Slaton is out with a toe injury, Johnson's going to get the ball a lot. He's averaging 5.4 yards a carry to Foster's 6.1.

By• the way, we'll have to wait until the Colts game, but it's going to be fun to see Owen Daniels back on the field making up for lost time. Gary Kubiak said getting 15 to 20 plays from him against Indianapolis would be ideal.

• I don't know about you, but I'm glad to see Jacoby Jones returning punts again. I want the Texans to get him the ball as much as possible. Before he can overtake Kevin Walter, Jones has to become as consistent as a route runner and blocker as Walter. Jones also has to make fewer mistakes. Still, there's no doubting his big-play capability, and when they have three and four wideouts in the game, they're hard to stop.

Houston RB Ben Tate Will Be Placed On Injured Reserve
Sunday, August 15, 2010, 10:38pm

Houston Texans rookie running back Ben Tate is expected to undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair the broken ankle he suffered in Saturday night's 19-16 preseason defeat at Arizona.

Tate, the second-round pick from Auburn, was injured at the end of a 12-yard carry when he was tackled by rookie linebacker Daryl Washington.

"It’s a very significant ankle injury and will require surgery," coach Gary Kubiak said today. "It’s very unfortunate and doesn’t look good."

Kubiak said the Texans are planning to schedule the surgery for Tuesday.

Tate, who will be placed on injured reserve, was running third team behind Arian Foster and Steve Slaton. The injury means Chris Henry and Jeremiah Johnson will move up a spot.

Texans RB Arian Foster gets praises
Thursday, May 20, 2010, 10:58pm

The Texans are working with a crowded backfield that includes RBs Arian Foster, Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats, Jeremiah Johnson and Chris Henry. Second-round draft pick Ben Tate did not practice this week because of a hamstring injury.

With one week of OTAs in the books, head coach Gary Kubiak shared his thoughts on the group of running backs.

"I've been impressed with Foster," Kubiak said. "(He) went from first year to second year a big jump, just (from) watching him practice. Steve is sitting here lining up as a two and he started 15 games two years ago. Hasn't said a word, just working, and that's been very impressive.

"We need to get the young kid (Tate) out here. The other two guys (Johnson and Henry), they've got some ability, and we need to see what happens when we put the pads on."