Chris Johnson: Suffers knee injury

Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson, center, is tackled by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) and linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015.

With Johnson in the backfield, Arizona’s offense flourished, becoming the highest-scoring unit in the NFL. He was on pace for 1,184 rushing yards, which would have returned him to the 1,000-yard club after a one-year hiatus and would have made him the first Cardinals running back since Beanie Wells in 2011 to rush for 1,000 yards or more.

After veteran running back Chris Johnson left the game on Sunday with an apparent knee injury, it is now reported as being worse.

Arizona is one of the few teams with the quality depth to withstand such an injury to its leading rusher, but the issue is compounded by a turf toe ailment that sent Andre Ellington to the sidelines minutes later.

Johnson has 814 yards this season on 196 carries, averaging 4.2 yards per carry.

However, it is worth monitoring David Johnson as a potential waiver-wire pickup (he was owned in 22.7 percent of ESPN.com leagues coming into Sunday’s game).

The rookie will be backed up by Stepfan Taylor, with Kerwynn Williams likely to be elevated from the practice squad.