A dislocated wrist doesn’t have to sideline David Johnson, but it probably will.

With the report of dislocation, surgery is a forgone conclusion.

A second opinion is going to agree with the first. The procedure usually requires pins and/or repair of the inevitably torn scapho-lunate ligament.

The only questions are when Johnson can return and how effectively.


When I was Chargers team physician, linebacker Shawne Merriman dislocated his wrist and finished a goal line stand that sealed a victory without alerting the medical staff. He showed me the injury afterward, and I reduced (realigned) the wrist at that time. The team flew home to San Diego, Merriman had surgery the next morning and played the following week in a cast/club.

Johnson has displayed similar toughness.

He was injured on the previous series – which head coach Bruce Arians confirmed was the case Monday – and returned to play Sunday. He could not really grip the ball and understandably fumbled with relatively minor contact.

So, can Johnson play with a cast/club?


Doing so increases the risk of fumble, makes pass protection harder and inhibits pass catching.

Johnson’s versatility is what makes him such a weapon – and top fantasy pick. And it is this need to be versatile that will likely land him on IR.

He would be a good candidate to return in 8-12 weeks.

The long-term future is excellent after surgery.

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