What to know about new Saints RB David Johnson

The New Orleans Saints have fiddled with their running back room yet again, recently signing David Johnson as an important depth piece.

After releasing Jordan Howard and Derrick Gore from the practice squad, the Saints chose to bring on Johnson on Wednesday. Johnson previously spent stints on the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans, earning one Pro Bowl nod for a 1,000-plus yard rushing campaign back in 2016.

Johnson has plenty of starting experience in his NFL career but his primary duties will be to take a chunk of Alvin Kamara's snaps as Mark Ingram remains sidelined due to injury.

The Saints haven't found a solid RB2 in the wake of Ingram's injury, and depending on how well Johnson fits in the offensive scheme, he could play a larger role moving forward.

Saints' new signing David Johnson will get a shot at earning the RB2 role

Johnson poses as one of the more accomplished free-agent running backs out there with four seasons of 500-plus rushing yards. He enters his eighth season in 2022 and could make an immediate impact and favorable impression on the franchise as a reliable backup to Kamara.

The Saints' run game has been anything but effective so far with Kamara severely hindered by an injured offensive line. Johnson has a long shot to secure a rotational role in the offense, though he may be the most experienced backup NOLA has signed so far.

Johnson actually tried out for the Saints this past offseason, but he and New Orleans couldn't agree on a contract.

With Dwayne Washington mostly relegated to special teams, Johnson could see his first carry in the black and gold against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11.

Let's see if Johnson can succeed where many other backs have tried and failed.