Cardinals' Chris Johnson: Placed on IR

Johnson (groin) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

Analysis:

While each team can bring one player back from injured reserve after a minimum stay of eight weeks, it isn't entirely clear that Johnson is a candidate, as the Cardinals are also placing safety Tyvon Branch on IR with a groin injury. Branch has arguably been a more important contributor than Johnson so far, but the two players' relative value would change in a hurry if David Johnson were to suffer an injury. In any case, the younger Johnson will now be backed up by Andre Ellington, Kerwynn Williams and Stepfan Taylor, with Ellington easily carrying the most appeal as a handcuff.