Packers host workout for former Lions RB Kerryon Johnson
The Green Bay Packers are looking into a veteran option at running back after losing Aaron Jones to a short-term knee injury.
According to the league’s transaction wire, the Packers reported a workout for former Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson on Tuesday.
Johnson, the 43rd overall pick in the 2018 draft, rushed for 1,225 yards, gained 1,752 total yards and scored 11 total touchdowns over 35 career games in the NFL.
The Packers may need to explore veteran help after Jones injured his MCL against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The injury isn’t expected to keep him out for more than two games, but adding a veteran to back up A.J. Dillon might make sense. The current backup, Patrick Taylor, has only two NFL carries, and the Packers don’t currently have a third healthy running back on the roster.
Johnson, who is still only 24, played three seasons in Detroit. He was briefly with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers this season. His career rushing average is 4.3 yards per arry, but he finished under 4.0 in each of his last two seasons with the Lions.
The Packers also signed running back Kerrith Whyte to the practice squad on Tuesday, so it’s unclear if Johnson has a future home in Green Bay or if general manager Brian Gutekunst was just checking in with the former second-round pick. Whyte and Ryquell Armstead are both running back options on the practice squad, and the Packers protected Armstead this week, meaning no team can sign him off the practice squad.
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