One of the first texts came from Kerryon Johnson, on Sunday night. The Lions starting running back wanted to show Ty Johnson and the rest of his backfield mates some love for stepping up after he left that afternoon's game with a knee injury.
"He just texted us all in a group and said he was proud of us for going in there and just handling it the way we did, and that he’s proud to be a part of the running group we have right now," Johnson said.
By Wednesday morning, the texts were coming in droves. The rookie from Maryland got the bulk of the work in Kerryon's absence, taking 10 carries and catching four passes in Detroit's loss to the Vikings, and on Tuesday afternoon Kerryon was placed on IR. Now Johnson was hearing from everyone back home -- and everyone with a fantasy football team.
He laughed and shook his head at all the texts from hopeful new owners, geeked over something he knows nothing about.
For the first time in his career, he'll need to do a lot. No, the Lions don't plan on replacing Kerryon with a single back, and Johnson isn't counting on anything in particular entering Sunday's clash with the Giants. He knows J.D. McKissic, Tra Carson and Paul Perkins will factor into the game plan as well. But right now, it's Johnson who stands to take on the biggest load.
The Lions have liked what they've seen out of the sixth-round pick since he arrived in the spring. He's got electric speed, and he runs with more physicality than advertised. In his first big chance this season, Johnson turned five carries into 30 yards in a Week 2 win over the Chargers. He wasn't as efficient against the Vikings, but he did show his stuff as a pass catcher, and the Giants come to town with one of the worst run defenses in the league.
Just last week, New York was gashed by a little-known running back for the Cardinals by the name of Chase Edmonds, filling in for an injured starter. Maybe this is Johnson's moment for the Lions.
"It could be me, it could be J.D., it could be any other guy, so it’s one of those things where I guess we’ll wait and see on game day," Johnson said. "I know everyone back home is blowing me up and everything, and they don’t really understand because they’re not here, but obviously I love the support and I appreciate it. If it does come to that, I’m going to be excited, but right now it’s just about preparing this week."
The matchup aside, Johnson isn't stepping into the best situation. The Lions have struggled to run the ball this season, despite making it the focal point of their offense. They're averaging 3.8 yards per carry. They've said all year they're close, and they've had their moments. But the offensive line hasn't opened enough holes, and the backs haven't created enough of their own. Johnson, along with McKissic, Carson and Perkins, will set about finding them now.
"Whatever Coach Bevell wants," said Johnson, "we're going to pound away."
The spotlight has shifted from one Johnson to the next in Detroit's backfield. The rookie has the receipts to prove it. Whether that spotlight follows him to the field on Sunday isn't yet clear, not to mention whether he'll shine if it does.
But right now, the moment before him is starting to feel real.
"I don’t know for sure, no one knows for sure. But at the same time, I’m like, damn, it could be happening," Johnson said. "I’m just taking it one day at a time and going from there."