On Thursday, the NFL congratulated the Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back for being voted Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week.
He was one of four nominees from Week 8, receiving more votes than Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman, Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. and Los Angeles Rams linebacker Wesley Bailey.
Johnson’s 128 receiving yards were the most by an NFL running back in one game this season
(and also the only 100-yard receiving-yard game by any back). He caught five passes and produced 128 yards while running just eight routes. The 73-yard touchdown catch was the longest play by the Chiefs this season.
He also ripped off a highlight-reel 15-yard run that featured a handful of missed tackles forced by the shifty Johnson. That put Johnson’s total yards for the game at 143, the fourth-highest mark by a Chiefs player this year behind lead back Kenneth Walker’s top-3 performances.
This season, Johnson has 314 yards from scrimmage on 34 touches and has moved the chains 11 times. Denver was his breakout performance, and he should be prepared for more opportunity as the season progresses.
Here is the list of previous winners of Rookie of the Week this season:
- Week 1: Washington Commanders wide receiver Antonio Williams
- Week 2: Raiders cornerback Hezekiah Masses
- Week 3: New York Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq
- Week 4: New York Giants linebacker Arvell Reese
- Week 5: Jets edge rusher David Bailey
- Week 6: Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
- Week 7: Omar Cooper Jr.
