Johnson (illness) returned to a limited practice Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson didn't practice Wednesday due to a non-COVID-19-related illness, but his return to the field Thursday puts him on track to suit up for Sunday's game against the Patriots. Friday's injury report will reveal whether Johnson approaches that contest listed as questionable or free from a Week 11 injury designation. Assuming he suits up this weekend, Johnson is slated to remain the Texans' lead back, given that David Johnson (concussion/IR) is set to miss at least two more games.

Johnson (illness) didn't practice Wednesday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barshop did note that Johnson's absence was not related to COVID-19, so at this point the running back would seem to have enough time to recover in advance of Sunday's game against the Patriots. With David Johnson (concussion/IR) set to miss at least two more games, Duke Johnson is slated to remain the team's lead back in the meantime.

Johnson rushed 14 times for 54 yards and failed to catch his lone target in Sunday's 10-7 loss to the Browns.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson was the only Houston running back to record a carry while starting in place of David Johnson (concussion). Duke's lack of involvement as a pass catcher was disappointing, however, as his receiving ability out of the backfield is considered his biggest strength. David will miss at least two more weeks after being placed on IR, so Duke should continue to hold a monopoly on backfield touches for the Texans against the Patriots in Week 11.

Johnson will start at running back against the Browns on Sunday, as teammate David Johnson (concussion) has officially been ruled out.

EDGE Analysis

This scenario was looking likely with David unable to practice all week, but it has now been officially confirmed. If other managers in your league have been waiting on confirmation before snapping him up, Duke still might be hanging around on the waiver wire. Johnson scored a rushing touchdown last week but is better known for his pass-catching ability out of the backfield. He's expected to serve as the lead back, with Buddy Howell and Scottie Phillips on hand for change-of-pace duties.

Johnson is expected to serve as the Texans' lead back in Sunday's game against the Browns with David Johnson (concussion) trending in the wrong direction for the contest, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports. "Duke [can] take the load. I think we'll like what we see from him doing that job," interim head coach Romeo Crennel said Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The Texans haven't officially ruled David out for the Week 10 contest, but since he wasn't able to practice Wednesday after sustaining the head injury three days earlier in the team's 27-25 win over the Jaguars, he'll face an uphill battle to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol before the weekend. After David exited with the concussion on the Texans' first drive of last week's game, Duke stepped in and played 52 of the team's 64 offensive snaps and finished with 16 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown and four receptions for 32 yards on four targets. Meanwhile, third-stringer Buddy Howell only took five offensive snaps, and neither he nor the Texans' lone other healthy option at running back, Scottie Phillips, should be serious threats to poach work from Duke. With all that in mind, a three-down role likely awaits Duke in Week 10, making him worthy of at least a short-term pickup in just about any season-long format.

Johnson rushed the ball 16 times for 41 yards and a touchdown in Week 9 against Jacksonville. He added four receptions for 32 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson logged a career-high 16 carries after David Johnson was forced to exit early on in the contest due to a concussion. He didn't work particularly efficiently with his chances, as he averaged only 2.6 yards per carry and his longest rush of the day went for just eight yards. He did manage to find the end zone on a one-yard plunge just prior to halftime. As customary, Johnson also found himself heavily involved as a receiver while catching all four of his targets. If David Johnson finds himself unable to progress through the concussion protocol in time for the team's Week 10 matchup against the Browns, Johnson should serve as the leader of the Texans backfield once again.

Johnson recorded five receptions on five targets for 43 yards in Week 7 against the Packers. He was stymied for -1 yard on the ground on one carry.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson continued to lack effectiveness on the ground and was nearly completely eliminated from that portion of the gameplan. However, he received his highest target count of the season and converted that to his best yardage total. Even so, he has yet to surpass eight total touches in any game this season. That makes him a risky player to rely upon for consistent production.

Johnson had four carries for nine yards and caught one of two targets for two yards in Sunday's 42-36 overtime loss to the Titans.

EDGE Analysis

In what turned out to be a wide-open passing affair, which would seem to play to Johnson's strengths as a pass-catching back, he had a minor role. The one silver lining to his performance was a red-zone target, but it was the third time in four games that he's had fewer than 20 combined yards, as David Johnson dominates the backfield touches. Duke's been on the field for 29.6 percent of offensive snaps and is eighth on the team with eight targets over four games.

Johnson rushed three times for eight yards and caught his lone target for 11 yards in Sunday's 30-14 win over the Jaguars.

EDGE Analysis

Starting back David Johnson (96 yards rushing) was productive for the first time since Week 1, relegating Duke to a minor role in Houston's first victory of the season. In three games this season, he has just 78 combined yards.

Johnson rushed five times for 24 yards and caught three of four targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 31-23 loss to the VIkings.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson returned to the lineup after missing two games due to an ankle injury. The four targets tied for third among Houston's ball-catchers, an area considered a strength for Johnson. The Texans' offense has been inconsistent as quarterback Deshaun Watson tries to incorporate new weapons while dealing with a largely non-existent running attack.