David Johnson Injury: Cardinals RB Suffers Injured Knee vs. Rams

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson suffered a sprained MCL that won't require surgery during the team's game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com.

Head coach Bruce Arians said the injury carries a six- to eight-week recovery timeline, per Weinfuss.

Jennifer Hale of NFL on Fox noted Johnson was able to put weight on his knee.

After selecting Johnson in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft, the Cardinals slotted him third on the initial depth chart behind Andre Ellington and Chris Johnson, but strong play and an injury to Johnson moved him up to the lead position by the end of the 2015 campaign.

Johnson kept his grasp on the starting job heading into this season and ran away with it, as he entered Week 17 with 1,233 rushing yards, 77 receptions for 841 receiving yards and 20 total touchdowns. If not for Arizona's struggles as a team, Johnson would likely be getting MVP consideration.

Ellington and Kerwynn Williams split backfield duties after Johnson was carted off.