The timetable seems to be lining up.

David Johnson suffered a dislocated left wrist in the season opener, had sugery and was placed on IR.

Cardinals head coach Bruce initially Arians said he hoped to get Johnson back by Christmas.

"Hoping we can get him back by Christmas" - Arians on @DavidJohnson31 #BeRedSeeRed — SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) September 13, 2017


At that time, I said a different holiday would be more likely.

I am more a Thanksgiving guy. https://t.co/4vHTUFxC8Y — David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) September 13, 2017

I am not a fantasy expert, but my thought was if you can make the playoffs without David Johnson, you should keep him on your roster, because he would return this season.

Well, Arians said this week the earliest expectation is for Johnson to be back by Thanksgiving.


Update: @AZCardinals HC @BruceArians tells @SiriusXMNFL that "earliest" expectation for David Johnson to return is Thanksgiving. — Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) October 12, 2017

It is now 5 weeks post-surgery, and Johnson’s cast came off Wednesday.

David said today he just got his cast and he didn't have a timetable for his return. https://t.co/OpWuWmKqAC — Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) October 12, 2017

I have not examined him or seen imaging but would assume Johnson is now in a removable wrist splint/brace and beginning therapy. Assuming he can return to practice with the protective splint in a couple weeks and then practice for a week or two, he could play around Thanksgiving.


The timing of his return will be based on his confidence, assessment by both the medical staff and the coach and general manager. You essentially need a unanimous “yes” for him to return. There are numerous situational variables, including how he does with a splint, limited range of motion and grip strength, how he tolerates pain and how his replacement, Adrian Peterson, and the team are doing.

Johnson can already be working on conditioning, running, lower body and even limited upper body work with a “hands free” weight lifting program. That would give him a head start on his return.

If he can acclimate to the splint to prove he can catch passes, pass protect and have ball security, I fully expect it to be a Happy Thanksgiving for Cardinals fans and Johnson fantasy owners.

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