Cardinals' Johnson: 'It's obviously been hard' taking back seat to Drake

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson saw his disappointing season hit its lowest point in his team's Week 11 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, failing to register either a run attempt or a catch for the first time in his five-year career.

Johnson played just eight offensive snaps while Kenyan Drake, acquired from the Miami Dolphins in late October, took over starting duties. Though Johnson said he's spoken with the Cardinals' coaching staff, he hasn't heard anything specific about changes to his role.

"They haven't told me anything. Just whenever I get in the game, be ready," Johnson said Wednesday, according to Cardinals reporter Darren Urban.

Johnson started in Week 10 but managed just 10 combined yards on six touches. Prior to Arizona's Week 11 contest, first-year head coach Kliff Kingsbury declined to name a starting running back, saying rushing duties would be handled "by committee."

Drake has had at least 15 touches in each of his three contests since debuting with the Cardinals in Week 9, putting Johnson in an unfamiliar situation.

"It's obviously been hard," Johnson said, according to team reporter Kyle Odegard. "In the past, I was in the majority of the snaps. It's been rough. I've just got to move past it and make the most of every opportunity."

Johnson's health has been an issue this season. The 27-year-old has battled ankle and back injuries since mid-October, ailments that already cost him two games.

"If you're any football player, they all want to be on the field as much as possible," the former Pro Bowler said. "It's rough, but it's football. There's always adversity. It's really just how you handle it."

Johnson has amassed just 302 yards and two touchdowns on 82 carries this season, adding 323 yards and three scores on 31 receptions. He wasn't on the 3-7-1 Cardinals' most recent injury report for their Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

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