We can sometimes forget how close Cardinals running back Chris Johnson was to fading out of the NFL altogether.
After a ho-hum run with the New York Jets, the former speed king was shot in his shoulder during a horrible March incident in Florida that left one person dead. According to an ESPN.com article about that trying time published this week, Johnson revealed that his hand was so damaged from the wound that, even as of late May, he couldn't use it properly.
"I was contemplating retirement," he said in the piece. "Knowing if I can't use this hand, I can't play football no more."
He added: "So much pain. My hand was so f----d up. I couldn't touch nothing. I couldn't use nothing."
Over his last two games, Johnson has racked up 193 yards on 38 carries and two touchdowns. In that span, he's averaging more than five yards per carry.
Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said Tuesday that he was optimistic Andre Ellington would return against the Lions this week after missing the first quarter of the season with a knee sprain. The question is, how many carries will he be able to steal back from Johnson?
After going through hell this offseason, Johnson is finally getting a taste of the good life again, and there's no doubt he wants to keep it that way.
