David Johnson injury update: Out 2-3 months

David Johnson was going to miss some time with a dislocated wrist, but now we know just how long he’ll be out.

Injury was added to insult for the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, as running back David Johnson suffered a wrist injury in a loss to the Detroit Lions. His exact timetable for a return went from a very optimistic, no missed games Week 2 to possibly several weeks, depending on which doctor’s recommendation was followed through on.

Johnson has will reportedly have surgery on his dislocated wrist later this week, and be out for 2-3 months.

Johnson will be placed on IR, with the possibility he can return as early as Week 10. But that’s also the early end of the 2-3 month timetable post-surgery, so an absence deeper into November or into December is more likely. Where the Cardinals will be at that point in the season is the big question, and it may not be worth bringing Johnson back for the final few games.

Kerwynn Williams and Andre Ellington at first in line for touches in Johnson’s absence, but the Cardinals appear set to re-add a familiar face to the running back mix.

Chris Johnson is a long way removed from a 2,000-yard rushing season in 2009, and he missed all but four games last season while being cut after a dismal preseason this year. But he did average 4.2 yards per carry for Arizona in 2015, and there’s comfort in familiarity I suppose. It’s hard to see “C2K” as clearly the best available running back, even at this point, but the Cardinals presumably know what physical condition he’s in and he spent time in their offense up to 11 days ago.

Related Story: David Johnson: 5 fantasy football replacements

There’s no replacing what David Johnson did in 2016, as the engine of the Cardinals’ offense and the catalyst of deep playoff runs for his fantasy owners. But both entities are left to do it now, with some knowledge of how long he’ll be out.