Cardinals running back David Johnson is carted off the field Sunday after hurting his left knee.
LOS ANGELES -- Pro Bowl running back David Johnson, in the middle of the best season a back has had in franchise history, left Sunday's finale against the Rams with a scary-looking knee injury in the first quarter.
Fortunately, it looks like Johnson escaped a serious injury.
Coach Bruce Arians said Johnson will have an MRI Monday but the Cardinals do not think it is ligament damage. There is possible meniscus damage, Arians said.
"I don't want to jinx it," Arians said.
Johnson had five carries for six yards and another three catches for 38 yards when he was hurt on a running play.
Trying to cut back in traffic, Johnson was held up and then had his left leg rolled up on by a Rams player.
"My heart definitely went to the bottom of my feet," cornerback Patrick Peterson said.
Added wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, "I think everyone felt the same way. You see your franchise player go down and not get up, it's tough."
Johnson was down for a couple of minutes. He eventually hobbled to the sideline with help, and then was carted to the locker room.
Johnson returned to the sideline after halftime, wearing sweatpants and a jacket. He had a brace on his left knee, but he was moving without the aid of crutches.
"To see him back on the sideline, and in good spirits, was definitely a huge boost for us," said running back Kerwynn Williams, who filled in for Johnson and had a game-high 60 yards rushing.
The Cardinals have had multiple serious injuries against the Rams since 2013. Safety Tyrann Mathieu (2013) and quarterback Carson Palmer (2014) tore ACLs. Quarterback Drew Stanton (2014) badly sprained a knee. Palmer (2016) suffered a concussion.
Johnson was attempting to become the first player in NFL history to reach 100 yards from scrimmage in all 16 games in a season.
Johnson finished the season with 1,239 yards rushing this season, and 80 receptions for 879 yards. He scored 20 total touchdowns, a franchise record.
