Johnson (knee) is listed as active Sunday at Denver.

EDGE Analysis

After Johnson completed his rehab from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, the Lions officially elevated him to the 53-man roster Saturday. On Sunday morning, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Johnson is slated to get "significant carries" in his first game action since Week 7. In the five games that he's completed this season, Johnson averaged 19.2 touches for 82.2 yards from scrimmage per game while scoring three touchdowns. If he's indeed a bell cow Sunday, he'll push fellow running backs Bo Scarbrough (ribs), Ty Johnson and J.D. McKissic down the depth chart.

Johnson (knee) is expected to receive "significant" carries in Sunday's game against the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Even though the Lions just activated Johnson from injured reserve one day ago following an eight-game layoff, Rapoport's report suggests the team's lead back won't be eased back into the mix. If that's the case, Johnson could approach the 17.4 carries he averaged in his five full games prior to suffering the knee injury, though the game script could call for lesser work on the ground if the Lions fall behind early. At 3-10-1, the Lions aren't incentivized to overextend Johnson in their final two games, but the uncertain status of Bo Scarbrough (ribs) could prompt Detroit to rely on Johnson to carry the running game out of necessity. Ty Johnson, Wes Hills and J.D. McKissic are the Lions' remaining depth options, with none of those players having shown much promise as ballcarriers this season.

Johnson (knee) was activated off injured reserve Saturday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Lions seemed to tip their hand with this one, leaving an open roster spot Friday for the likely return of Johnson from injured reserve. The second-year running back has not played since Week 7 after undergoing surgery on his knee, but it's entirely possible Johnson might be forced into a large role if Bo Scarbrough (ribs), who is listed as questionable, is eventually ruled out ahead of Sunday's contest against the Broncos. Ty Johnson, J.D. McKissic and Wes Hills all loom as potential options for a running-back-by-committee approach, however, so don't expect Johnson to immediately assume his usage from earlier this season.

Johnson (knee) may be activated to the 53-man roster Saturday, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Lions currently have an open roster spot, which suggests they plan to remove Johnson from injured reserve before Sunday's game in Denver. Multiple beat reporters have suggested that the running back's activity level in practice provides another hint in favor of a Week 16 return to the lineup. It isn't clear how the Lions will divide backfield snaps and touches if Johnson indeed achieves active status, with Bo Scarbrough (ribs), Ty Johnson, J.D. McKissic and Wes Hills each getting some degree of work at various points within the past few weeks. Kerryon would probably be the best bet to lead the team in carries, but that doesn't come with any guarantees.

Johnson (knee) said Thursday that he's getting stronger by the week and "hopes to" play Sunday against the Broncos, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson resumed practicing with the Lions on Dec. 4, but since he remains on injured reserve rather than a member of the 53-man roster, the team hasn't had to disclose the extent of his participation in workouts. While Johnson's absence from practice reports has made his progress difficult to track, Chris Burke of The Athletic relays that the running back looks ready for game action based on what he witnessed during the portion of Thursday's session that was open to the media. Though Johnson would probably agree with Burke's assessment, a decision on the running back's Week 16 status will ultimately be up to the Lions' brass. If Johnson is activated from IR and suits up in Denver, the Lions would likely have him split snaps with Bo Scarbrough (ribs) in a measure to preserve both backs as they ease back in following injuries.

Johnson (knee) said Friday that he hasn't experienced any setbacks since undergoing surgery in November to repair a torn meniscus, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 3-9-1 Lions have little to play for at this stage, but that isn't stopping Johnson from working toward rejoining the 53-man roster as soon as Week 16 in Denver. Johnson, who resumed practicing Dec. 4, has drawn favorable reviews from coach Matt Patricia since returning to work, but the Lions will see how the second-year tailback looks next week before determining his availability for game action. If Johnson does play in either of the final two games, he'll likely be deployed as part of a timeshare with Bo Scarbrough, who has performed well as the Lions' lead option on the ground since joining the team four weeks ago.

The Lions haven't ruled out activating Johnson (knee) from injured reserve before the regular season is over, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson isn't eligible to return to action until the Week 16 game in Denver, but coach Matt Patricia provided a positive report on the running back's status when asked about the matter Friday. Even though the Lions are eliminated from playoff contention, the Lions could use one of their two designated-to-return spots on Johnson if he makes the requisite progress in his recovery from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Johnson (knee) returned to practice Wednesday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson was placed on injured reserve Oct. 22 after requiring a procedure on his right knee, but his return to practice opens up a 21-day window in which the second-year running back can return to the 53-man roster. Since he'll still have to spend at least eight weeks on IR, his first chance won't come until the Week 16 matchup with the Broncos on Dec. 22. For the time being, Bo Scarbrough will continue to lead Detroit's ground game, while J.D. McKissic and Ty Johnson represent the team's main pass-catching threats out of the backfield.

Coach Matt Patricia said Tuesday that Johnson underwent a procedure on his injured right knee and will be placed on injured reserve, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Prior reports suggested Johnson was in danger of missing multiple games after injuring his knee in the Week 7 loss to the Vikings, and the move to IR officially confirms that will be the case. The second-year back will be sidelined for at least eight weeks as a result of the transaction, though Patricia was optimistic Johnson would be one of the two players the Lions designate for a return. While Johnson is sidelined, rookie Ty Johnson is expected to step in as Detroit's lead option in the ground game, while J.D. McKissic profiles as the team's top pass catcher out of the backfield.

Johnson is slated to miss "some time" due to a right knee injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson picked up the injury in the first quarter of Sunday's eventual loss to the Vikings when teammate Jesse James landed on him. While Johnson played the rest of the series, he yielded the backfield to Ty Johnson and J.D. McKissic the remainder of the game. On Monday, coach Matt Patricia said that Kerryon Johnson told him he's "fine," according to Justin Rogers of The Detroit News. However, because Schefter is calling Johnson "week to week," the running back may be hard-pressed to suit up Sunday against the Giants. Johnson's practice reps will be one to monitor as the week rolls along.