Chris Johnson’s magic number is no longer 2,000, the iconic yardage barrier he surpassed in just his second NFL season.
The new number to beat is 30, the age he will turn on Sept. 23, an age when most running backs begin to show steep and obvious decline.
Can Johnson defy time and keep the Cardinals flying? Or is time already winning this battle?
“I’m pretty sure I can be pretty dangerous,” Johnson said on Monday.
To his credit, Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim saw this moment coming. An injury to Andre Ellington has opened a window for Johnson, who will likely be the team’s starting tailback in Chicago.