When the Lions signed C.J. Anderson this offseason, it was presumed he'd be the big-back complement to Kerryon Johnson. Matt Patricia prefers to run the ball by committee, and this would be a way to keep some tread on Johnson's tires over the course of the year.
The Lions released Anderson on Tuesday.
And after also cutting Zach Zenner last month, they're suddenly missing the steed to spell their star.
Maybe that star is about to take on a bigger role.
Asked on Wednesday what they're losing without the prototypical 'big back' on the roster, Patricia replied, "From a running back standpoint, I'll say this. We have a tremendous amount of trust in Kerryon, what we know he can do from a running back position."
Patricia also mentioned Ty Johnson -- "another guy that ran really hard last week," he said -- and J.D. McKissic, claimed off waivers earlier this month. Johnson, who totaled 30 yards on five carries in Anderson-esque fashion Sunday, is certainly in line for more work. Probably McKissic, too.
As for Paul Perkins, who took Anderson's spot on the roster, it'll take him some time to learn the playbook and get on the field.
"We're just trying to push forward with everybody that we think we can get out there," Patricia said.
But it sounds like Johnson will benefit the most. His workload has been a hot-button issue since he averaged just 11.8 carries per game last season, despite posting some of the most efficient numbers in the league. In short-yardage situations, he often lost out to LeGarrette Blount.
Already this season Johnson's workload has increased. He has 28 carries and 32 touches through two games, tied with Leonard Fournette and David Johnson, respectively. Six of those carries have been of the short-yardage variety -- within three yards of the sticks -- after Johnson got just 15 such carries the duration of his rookie season.
No, the nimble 5'11 Johnson doesn't fit the 'big back' label, and this team will never turn him into a bellcow, but the Lions do sound prepared to continue expanding his role.
"As far as a big back is concerned, I've seen small guys run hard, I've seen big guys run not so hard," Patricia said. "It's really just about the individual in those particular situations and the blocking up in front of it and what we need to get. For us, it's more just about the production than the overall size."
There are still multiple mouths to feed in this backfield. The rookie Johnson, who's shown physicality on top of his speed, has given the Lions more than they probably expected thus far. McKissic, who played under Bevell for two years in Seattle, has real value as a pass catcher.
And Perkins, who flashed with the Giants in 2016, isn't here for nothing.
"He runs hard," Patricia said. "He runs very explosive downhill, but he has a skillset that can do a couple different things. He has enough speed to get the edge if he needs to, he can get down inside if he needs to. He's tough, he'll pass protect, he'll put his body in there. He's not afraid of contact from that standpoint.
"Just thought it was a good opportunity to help us, really not only on offense but also on special teams. He has some value there, too, which is important for us in the overall makeup of our team."
As that evolves, so does the makeup of the backfield. Johnson's top two backups less than a month ago are gone. Others have replaced them, but no one proven, and no one in that complementary mold.
Just how much 'trust in Kerryon' do the Lions have? We're about to find out.
