Duke Johnson’s time in Houston is over.
The Texans released the running back, reported NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Johnson’s release saves Texans $ 5 million in cap space, taking Houston beyond the $ 11 million mark with the projected limit near the declared $ 180 million floor by Over The Cap.
Johnson was the least productive of his two seasons in Houston in 2020, carrying the ball 77 times for 235 yards and a touchdown in 11 games (five games) as part of an unfortunate Texas racing game. The versatile defender also got 28 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown, the lowest in his career, bringing his total multi-faceted yards to just 484 in the season.
As was the case during Johnson’s time in Cleveland, some wondered why he no longer received touches in the Houston attack. David Johnson’s presence was a response, but after two campaigns in Texas, we can come to the conclusion that the switch from Houston to Johnson in the summer of 2019 failed.
Johnson still has value as a multitalented back that could flourish in the right situation. It became painfully clear in 2020 that the situation was not in Houston, despite playing with one of the best young passers in the game, Deshaun Watson.