(Photo: Daniel Mears, Detroit News)
Allen Park — Up until a month ago, there was nothing to suggest the Detroit Lions would ever use running back Kerryon Johnson as a workhorse.
First, there was Johnson's own durability to worry about. Throughout high school and college, he dealt with a number of injuries, then he finished his rookie season with the Lions on injured reserve, hurting his knee in Week 10.
Second, through both words and actions, Lions coach Matt Patricia seemed to prefer a balanced backfield timeshare, traditionally deployed by his longtime former employer New England.