Cardinals running back David Johnson said Thursday he doesn’t know when he will return.

“The wrist is a complicated limb and it’s tough to say, just because I still have this cast on,” he told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

It is true there is a certain level of uncertainty while Johnson remains in a cast following surgery early last month to repair a dislocated wrist.

However, it shouldn’t be too long before Johnson is out of the cast. And once he is, the acclimation to a splint is relatively quick as the wrist rehab required to return to play is relatively simple.


This is nothing like rehab for Colts quarterback Andrew Luck on his shoulder, where he really can’t work out at a high level or throw.

While Johnson said in the interview he hasn’t “started rehab,” the reality is he has likely been running and able to work out almost fully, including a hands-free lifting program that should have his body ready to go when his wrist is.

Once he gets in a splint, he could be playing in as a little as two weeks. For example, Jordan Mathews recently broke his thumb, needed surgery and yet returned to catch passes in two weeks.

Now, the ultimate decision on return to play is made jointly between the player, medical staff and team. And all parties need to sign off.


Thus, Johnson’s return could also depend on the Cardinals’ record. With quarterback Carson Palmer out until at least Week 16, there simply might not be an urgency felt for Johnson to get back on the field.

The bottom line is Johnson not knowing about his return is true, because it depends on several factors.

Medically, however, I still think Thanksgiving weekend is possible.

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