The worst-case scenario for the Arizona Cardinals just became reality. In the third quarter of their 2017 season opener, they lost their star player when David Johnson left the game with a dislocated wrist, an injury that's expected to sideline him for 8 to 12 weeks.
Sorry to say: That diagnosis marks the end of the Cardinals' 2017 campaign.
Last year, Johnson was about 120 yards shy of 1,000 yards receiving, falling just short of becoming the third player in history with 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.
Johnson was the lone bright spot in an otherwise abysmal 2016 season. That bright spot has already burnt out in 2017.
As far as their opponents are concerned: Without the rushing threat of No. 31, the Cardinals just became a one-dimensional team. Don’t get me wrong: Kerwynn Williams and Andre Ellington are very talented backups. But they are just that: backups.
For a squad that finished 7-8-1 in 2016 with a near record-breaking performance from their workhorse, I cringe to think what's in store for them in 2017 without the best running back in the NFL.
Unfortunately, it’s another "hope for the best, expect the worst" situation for Valley sports fans. Get well soon, DJ Smiles. We wish you a speedy recovery!
