Cardinals RB David Johnson needs wrist surgery, out 2-3 months

Schefter: Cardinals are placing RB David Johnson on IR, per source, but with the chance to return this season. Johnson is expected to miss 2-3 months, source tells ESPN.

La Canfora: Cardinals intend to sign Chris Johnson with today's MRI confirmed wrist surgery and IR (possibly to return) for David Johnson.

Related players: Kerwynn Williams, Andre Ellington

The earliest Johnson could return would be Week 10. The Cardinals play on Thursday that week (11/9), and that would be very close to two months of recovery. A three-month recovery timetable would put Johnson's return around Week 14. Owners need to hold onto Johnson if they can, if only to see how his recovery is shaping up in late October. At that point, if the Cardinals are already out of the playoff hunt (unlikely, but possible), the team will probably just shut Johnson down for the year. In the meantime, Kerwynn Williams is likely to lead the team in carries while Andre Ellington is the favorite to assume most of Johnson's role in the passing game. If the Cardinals do sign Chris Johnson, it puts a dent in Williams' upside as a ballcarrier since the two will be vying for carries on early downs. As far as this week's waiver wire goes, Tarik Cohen (especially in PPR leagues) and Javorius Allen are more attractive pickups than any of the Arizona running backs, but there is certainly a path for Williams and/or Ellington to turn into viable RB2/flex plays.