Per the NFL's new rule, teams can designate one player to return from injured reserve after eight weeks, which means either Johnson or Branch may be available for the Dec. 4 home game versus the Washington Redskins. A source informed of the team's decision to place Johnson on the injured-reserved list confirmed to NFL Network's Mike Garofolo that it's possible the running back will return depending on his recovery and the state of the Cardinals' backfield in December.