Duke Johnson Injury: Updates on Browns RB's Concussion and Return

Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson is listed as active, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, despite having suffered a concussion against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 29.

Johnson's status was somewhat of a mystery leading up to the season opener, with head coach Mike Pettine saying he didn't know how serious Johnson's concussion is, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal on Aug. 31, a day after he said the running back was in the league's concussion protocol and that the team will know more as the week progresses, per Michael Beaven of Ohio.com. 

Johnson was ruled out of the Browns' first preseason game against the Washington Redskins because of a pulled hamstring suffered at the start of training camp, but it wasn't a severe injury. Rather, Cleveland was just being "very conservative" with the rookie, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan. 

Despite the injuries, the Browns have high hopes for the third-round pick out of Miami. 

"He gives you another dimension that we don’t have in the group that we had last year because Duke can be a slot receiver, he can line up wide, and you can move him all over the field," Browns running back coach Wilbert Montgomery said, according to ESPN.com's Pat McManamon. "It’s like he’s a total mismatch."

Since the Browns backfield has been mired in uncertainty for the past few seasons, the emergence of a bell-cow back could aid the offense. And with one of the league's sturdiest offensive lines anchored by All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas, the Browns have a chance to wield a surprisingly strong rushing attack.

Johnson's health will be integral to making that dream a reality, though.