The Texans have released Johnson, according to ESPN.com. Andre Brown was also let go Monday per the report, with the moves, at least for now, leaving Jonathan Grimes and Alfred Blue next in line in the Houston backfield behind starter Arian Foster.

Dennis Johnson (hip) is inactive for Week 17 against the Titans. Jonathan Grimes will start at running back for the Texans. Ray Graham and Chad Spann will serve as his backups. Grimes isn't a recommended fantasy plug-and-play for owners playing through Week 17.

Dennis Johnson (hip) is listed as questionable for Week 17 versus Tennessee. Johnson didn't practice at all this week. Rookies that don't participate during the week rarely play on Sundays. Jonathan Grimes is going to get the start for the Texans. Ray Graham will back him up. Grimes is only a flex option.

Dennis Johnson (hip) remained out of Texans practice Thursday. Johnson will likely sit out against the Titans, leaving Ray Graham to back up Jonathan Grimes. It's a ridiculous situation for a team that's cycled through an alarming amount of running backs this season. An undrafted rookie, there's no guarantee Johnson will be back in Houston in 2014.

Texans RB Dennis Johnson is questionable for Week 17 with a hip injury. Johnson is "questionable" enough that the Texans have already named second-year pro Jonathan Grimes their Week 17 starter. It appears quite likely that Johnson will sit. The ailment limited Johnson to just three second-half touches in Sunday's loss to the Broncos.

Interim coach Wade Phillips suggested injury was the reason Dennis Johnson got just three second-half touches. Johnson touched the ball nine times in the first half. "We lost two running backs, too," Phillips said. "That hurt because we had the first two (Arian Foster and Ben Tate) already out. Johnson blew his big chance to start by rushing 12 times for just 29 yards.

The Broncos' defense has allowed 432 yards and five touchdowns on 91 carries (4.75 YPC) to Kansas City, San Diego, and Tennessee over the past three weeks. Denver's run-defense collapse has coincided with LE Derek Wolfe's (illness) three-week absence. Wolfe has been ruled out for Week 16. With Ben Tate (ribs) shut down for the season, UDFA Dennis Johnson will be Houston's starting tailback Sunday versus the Broncos. For more statistical breakdowns like this on every Week 16 game, read Evan Silva's Matchups column at the link below.

Dennis Johnson will start at running back for the Texans this week versus Denver. Ben Tate (ribs) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. Johnson will handle the bulk of the work, and Deji Karim is the new No. 2. Chad Spann will likely get the call up from the practice squad to fill the No. 3 role. The Broncos have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Look for Denver to blow Houston out, forcing the Texans to pass for much of the afternoon. Johnson could see a lot of targets out of the backfield. He needs to be owned in 14-team leagues as player who should dominate touches.

Dennis Johnson rushed four times for 12 yards in Houston's Week 15 loss to the Colts, adding a three-yard reception. Johnson's Week 12 takeover of the Texans' backfield is a long-forgotten memory. There's no reason to own Ben Tate's handcuff for Week 16.

Dennis Johnson rushed three times for 10 yards in Houston's Week 14 loss to the Jaguars, adding one catch for four yards. For the second consecutive week, Johnson operated as a pure handcuff to Ben Tate. He notched only one second-half touch as the Texans went pass heavy. Unless you're a nervous Tate owner, Johnson is shaping up as a wasted roster spot for the fantasy playoffs.