Former Miami running back Duke Johnson reportedly signs with new NFL team

The Buffalo Bills were expected to sign free agent running back JD McKissic last week, but McKissic had a change of heard and decided to return to the Washington Commanders instead. Now, it appears that the Bills have found an alternative option for McKissic. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bills are signing former Miami Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson.

“A potential J.D McKissic replacement has arrived in Buffalo: veteran RB Duke Johnson is signing a one-year deal with the Bills, per his agents @DrewJRosenhaus and @NFLrecord,” Schefter tweeted.

Johnson began his NFL career when he was selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He spent the first four years of his career in Cleveland, where he rushed for nearly 1,300 yards and had over 2,000 more through the air, totaling 13 touchdowns. Johnson then spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Houston Texans. There, Johnson had over 1,200 total yards and seven touchdowns.

This past season, Johnson only played in five games. Those games were with the Miami Dolphins. Johnson turned into a solid option in Miami, rushing for 330 yards and three touchdowns and adding four receptions for 41 yards as the Dolphins running back room was gashed with injuries and other absences.

The Bills add a dynamic running back in Johnson

When Johnson is at his best, he is catching passes out of the backfield. Over the first five years of his NFL career, he had at least 44 receptions every season. That could be welcome news for the Bills.

Last season, Devin Singletary led the Bills backfield with 870 yards and seven touchdowns, adding 40 receptions for 228 yards and another score. Zack Moss also had 96 rushes for 345 yards and four touchdowns.

Adding Johnson to the backfield will give the Bills another option to choose from on offense. Buffalo has a star quarterback in Josh Allen and a talented receiving room led by Stefon Diggs and tight end Dawson Knox. But the running back room struggled through inconsistencies at times.

While Johnson isn’t quite as explosive as he was to begin his NFL career, he is still capable of serving as a key change of pace running back for the Bills.