December 28, 2008 Week 17 inactives: Drew Henson (third quarterback), WR Chris Hannon, C Junius Coston, QB Daunte Culpepper, WR Travis Taylor, RB Rudi Johnson, G Damion Cook and DE Corey Smith.
Our View:Calvin Johnson (knee) and Kevin Smith (ankle) are active and will start. On defense, linebacker Ernie Sims (knee) is active and will start.
October 9, 2008 Although he has been named the starter, Rudi Johnson is still expected to split time with rookie Kevin Smith, with neither back guaranteed to see a bigger workload, according to MLive.com. Offensive coordinator Jim Colletto said, "They'll split time. Now, who starts, I don't know. We'll decide that at the end of the week. Kevin will probably be in a little more on third downs because Rudi's not as comfortable at that, although he's getting better at that."
Our View:Neither back is a recommended fantasy option, especially this weekend against a tough Vikings' run defense on their home turf.
October 6, 2008 Rudi Johnson has been named the Lions' starting running back, but did not see action until the third offensive series in Sunday's blowout loss to Chicago, and is not pleased with his workload, according to the Detroit Free Press. Johnson said, "The way I'm being used? I haven't really been used. So all I can do is try to get on the field and try to help, try to contribute. Would I like to help? Yes, I would like to contribute."
Our View:He was limited to five carries against Chicago, but rookie Kevin Smith didn't get many more with eight, namely since the Lions were forced to abandon the run early while trailing by a considerable margin.
September 29, 2008 Rudi Johnson has been named the Lions' starting running back, demoting rookie Kevin Smith to the second-string, according to Mlive.com.
Our View:Johnson is averaging 5.5 yards over 18 carries, and could be a solid starting fantasy back if he can just stay healthy. Johnson should be scooped up if dangling on the waiver wire.
September 23, 2008 Rudi Johnson says he has the Lions playbook down now but isn't sure if he's considered the starter, according to the Detroit Free Press. "It was hard trying to get the playbook down, but I have it now," he said Tuesday. "I couldn't do as much as I wanted until I knew the offense, especially the pass protections. Now I feel like I'm ready to help the team win." Johnson had 131 combined yards in last Sunday's loss to the 49ers. "No one has said anything to me about where I am on the depth chart," Johnson said. "I'm just going to keep practicing hard and trying to do the best I can."
Our View:Those that have both Johnson and Kevin Smith will want to play Rudi, as even if they split the carries, the former Bengal is likely to receive the goal-line work.
