TyJohnson

News: 1 day agoJohnson (hamstring) didn't practice Thursday, Matt Parrino of The Syracuse Post-Standard reports.

Spin: Johnson continues to miss practice due to the hamstring injury, which has kept him sidelined since Aug. 8. Though Johnson avoided placement on injured reserve coming out of the preseason, his 2026 debut could be delayed until at least Week 2 if he's unable to practice in some capacity Friday. In the event Johnson is sidelined for Sunday's season opener versus the Texans, Frank Gore could be elevated from the practice squad to provide a third option in the backfield behind James Cook and Ray Davis.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Johnson has settled in as a productive change-of-pace and receiving option in the Buffalo backfield behind James Cook. Johnson enters his eighth NFL season having yet to clear 63 carries or 34 catches in a season, but his role allows for him to hit for the occasional big game (15-plus fantasy points four times over the last two seasons). Of course, those games have come at random, making Johnson an unusable fantasy commodity. Even if Cook misses time this season, it's likely that Johnson would remain in his role, with Ray Davis instead stepping into lead back duties. Johnson plays a valuable role for Buffalo, but he's not a fantasy option.