The Cleveland Browns traded running back Terrance West to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday for a conditional draft pick, and that could be a positive sign for the future of Duke Johnson Jr.
Johnson has been recovering from a concussion and remained in the NFL’s concussion protocol as of Friday, but the Browns must be confident he is making progress. The former Miami star rushed for 1,652 yards last season and averaged a whopping 6.8 yards per carry for the Hurricanes. Many believe he was a value pick in the third round.
It is unclear if Johnson will be ready to play in Week 1 against the New York Jets, but Cleveland’s decision to trade West has to be seen as a positive. The Browns still have Isaiah Crowell, but he was incredibly frustrating last season and had issues with ball security.
Assuming Johnson can get healthy, he is the clear-cut favorite to earn the feature back role in Cleveland. That has become even clearer now with West out of the way.
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