David Johnson cringed at the idea.
"You don't want to be out there for every carry," the running back said, noting how injury incidents increase as does bruising. "At the end of the season, you just don't want to be touched."
Johnson remains the bellcow back for the Cardinals, the guy the team will use almost all of the time out of the backfield. But Chase Edmonds has become his sidekick and stand-in, with the Fordham rookie having his best game of the season last weekend in Green Bay with 53 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
"I'm glad when I come out," Johnson added, "no one worries about him being on the field."
Johnson was talking about the coaching staff and teammates. To be fair, to say no one worries isn't altogether true because the fanbase is still trying to absorb not so much that Edmonds is playing but that Johnson sometimes is not.
"I know how it goes," Edmonds said. "You have to earn your keep."
Edmonds isn't looking to be another Johnson. Instead, he'd like to be another Tarik Cohen, the Bears' second-year playmaker who has become a dynamic supplement to starter Jordan Howard.
Edmonds knows Cohen personally and sees the parallels. Both are undersized (Edmonds, at 5-foot-9, is actually taller than the 5-6 Cohen) and both hail from small schools – Edmonds is from Fordham, Cohen from North Carolina A&T. Cohen had 156 yards receiving Sunday against the Giants.
Cohen's advice to Edmonds has been simple: Maintain focus, stay patient.
"He's so electrifying," Edmonds said. "I want to try to continue to learn from people I can learn from and grow as a player."
It isn't the Bears' backfield coach Steve Wilks sees but the Saints as a blueprint, where Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram form a running back duo that can be rough to defend. Quarterback Josh Rosen likes the idea both Johnson and Edmonds can catch the ball, because as an offense "it gives you a lot of freedom."
Edmonds was the offensive spark when he played in Green Bay, scoring his first two NFL touchdowns and admittedly being worried he wouldn't get another chance at the first when his initial foray into the end zone was reversed on replay.
But the Cardinals stuck with him – at least some. Edmonds still only had five carries (for his 53 yards) while Johnson had 20 carries (for 69) yards. Each had two targets, with Edmonds catching both and Johnson one.
Johnson still had the bulk of the work, playing 52 of 62 offensive snaps, while Edmonds played 13, even if it seemed like Edmonds had suddenly cut significantly into Johnson's work load. This is not going to become a split-time situation. Johnson will be the workhorse, like he was in getting five carries in the Cardinals' final seven offensive plays to set up what turned out to be the game-winning field goal.
"We're not just blindly doing it, just throwing those two guys out there," offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich said. "We are putting those guys out there for a reason. They are two of our better players, two guys who can do something with the ball."
That's all Edmonds seeks for now, as he wants to improve not even through his first season in the NFL. He sees the NFL trending toward that need for multiple backfield threats, and "creative coordinators finding ways to get playmakers the ball in space."
And when he's on the field, Johnson waits for him to succeed.
"I just tell him he's a great player and don't let the fans make him think any less of himself," Johnson said. "Everyone in the organization and who is part of the football team knows how good he is."
Past images between the Cardinals and Sunday's opponent in the regular season opener, the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions halfback Dan Lewis (45) looks like he is about to be toppled by Chicago Cardinals back Jim Wagstaff (on ground), but Lewis was too fleet for him. He ran a good ten yards more in this fourth quarter play before another player nailed him. At rear is Cardinals linebacker Ted Bates (51). The Lions scored early and kept a healthy lead throughout the game to win 54-21, on Dec. 7, 1959 in Detroit.
A Jim Hart pass to Johnny Holand (23) was good for 35 yards in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 1, 1967 in a game between the Cardinals and Detroit. The Cardinals' Jackie Smith throws a block at Bruce Maher of the Lions. St. Louis won 38-28.
The Cardinals Johnny Roland gained only one yard on this second quarter play against the Lions, Sunday, Oct. 1, 1967, St. Louis, Mo. Detroiters are Wayne Walker (55), Mike Lucci, ground, and Darris McCord, rear. Cards won 38-28.
Don Parish (57) with the Cardinals grabs Detroit?s Altie Taylor (42) to stop the Lions with a 5 yd on Dec. 6, 1970 in Detroit. gain in the third quarter of play.
St. Louis Cardinals tight end Jackie Smith (81) faces Detroit Lions linebacker Wayne Walker (55) circa 1970.
Detroit's Lem Barney, 20, watches the ball disappear from his grip as he was running back a punt in the first quarter on Dec. 6, 1970 in Detroit. The Cardinals' Jim McFarland is putting the tackle on Barney. St. Louis' Jerry Daanen recovered the Lions fumble on the Lion 37, putting them in range for a field goal.
Detroit Lions' running back Billy Sims waves to fans after victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, 20- 6, in Pontiac, Michigan, Sept. 22, 1980. Sims picked up 95 yards and one touchdown.
Detroit Lions' running back Billy Sims takes off during St. Louis Cardinals game at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, Sept. 22, 1980.
Detroit Lions quarterback Andre Ware (11) runs from the pocket trying to avoid the tackle of Phoenix Cardinals outside linebacker Freddie Joe Nunn (50) during the first quarter in Pontiac, Mich., Sept. 26, 1993. Ware lead the Lions to a 26-20 victory by completing 11 of 24 passes for 194 yards.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Herman Moore (84) catches a 32-yard pass as Phoenix Cardinals cornerback Aeneas Williams (35) defends during the fourth quarter in Pontiac, Mich., Sept. 26, 1993. The Lions went on to defeat the Cardinals 26-20.
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Pittman (32) is wrapped up by Detroit Lions' Stephen Boyd (57) Allen Aldridge (55), Rob Fredrickson (53) and Robert Porcher (91) for a loss of yardage in the second quarter Sunday, Nov. 1, 1998, in Pontiac, Mich.
In a Sept. 7, 2003 photo, Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin is stopped by Detroit Lions' Eddie Drummond, right, and defensive back Jimmy Wyrick at Ford Field in Detroit.
In a Sept. 7, 2003 photo, Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin pulls away from Detroit Lions defensive back Jimmy Wyrick at Ford Field in Detroit.
Detroit Lions quarterback Joey Harrington (3) is dragged down from behind by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Peppi Zellner (94) after an 8- yard gain in first quarter Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions cornerback Dre Bly (32) holds up the ball after intercepting the pass intended for Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) in the third quarter at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004. Bly had two interceptions for the Lions in their 26-12 win.
Arizona Cardinals place kicker Neil Rackers celebrates his 51-yard field goal against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005. The Lions beat the Cardinals 29-21.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald catches a 8-yard touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005. Fitzgerald had 141 yards on nine receptions in the Cardinals' 29-21 loss.
Arizona Cardinals' Edgerrin James (32) picks up a short gain as Detroit Lions' Teddy Lehman (54) pulls him down during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Fred Wakefield (87) and Detroit Lions Ernie Sims (80) are separated by line judge Ron Marinucci during the second quarter of their football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart (7) throws during the first quarter of their football game while under pressure from Detroit Lions' Corey Smith (93), Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) lunges toward the end zone for a touchdown as Detroit Lions linebacker Teddy Lehman, right, defends during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007 in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Tim Rattay, top, calls signals while under center near the Detroit Lions' goal line in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 31-21.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna, left, escapes the pass rush of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby, right, in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals safety Antrel Rolle (21) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Bryant McFadden (25) brings down Detroit Lions wide receiver Bryant Johnson (80) in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Steve Breaston (15) reaches for the end zone as he's pushed out of bounds by Detroit Lions cornerback DeAngelo Smith (39) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.
Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells (26) stiff-arms Detroit Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) makes an interception to set up a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Rashad Johnson (49) and Daryl Washington during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) runs in a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall (28) scores the go-ahead touchdown down as Detroit Lions linebacker Rocky McIntosh (52) defends during the second half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive end John Abraham (55) during the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) hands off against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Tommy Kelly during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) stops Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Detroit Lions free safety Glover Quin (27) during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) rushes against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) drops back to pass against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams (33) reacts with Evan Boehm (70) after scoring a 3-yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
Arizona Cardinals offensive guard Mike Iupati (76) blocks against Detroit Lions defensive end Jeremiah Ledbetter (98) during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) is hit by Detroit Lions defensive back DeShawn Shead (26) during a punt return during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs as Detroit Lions middle linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) pursues during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (36) during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
