David Johnson is feeling "a little bit better" after his most productive game since October on Sunday, but the Cardinals running back is not content.
On Tuesday, Johnson Tweeted a cryptic note that read: "Surrounded by enemies, I know they praying for my down fall. They really want to see the end of me, know I won't fold imma stand tall!"
Johnson has been unhappy with his smaller role in the Cardinals' offense in recent weeks, but when asked about the social media post on Wednesday, he said the passage was directed at the yellow-clad spectators inside State Farm Stadium.
"I was looking at the photo and there were a lot of Steeler fans," Johnson said. "Even on the way to the game, there were Steelers fans at the hotel, there were Steelers fans everywhere. It was odd that it was our home game and there were so many Steelers fans. I have a list of lyrics that I like from Christian rappers. I saw the photo, and that seemed pretty accurate.
"Also, just fantasy (football criticism)," Johnson added. "That's probably all I get on social media. Anywhere I go it's probably about fantasy. It was a little bit of that as well."
Former Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu replied "Come to KC" to Johnson's Tweet, implying they should play together on the Chiefs. Johnson, who is under contract through 2021, appreciated his former teammate reaching out.
"It's pretty gratifying, actually, especially since he's playing at a high level," Johnson said. "But I've got to do what I can to try to play for this team and try to get on the field."
Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury didn't have a reaction to the Tweet, saying he wasn't aware of it because "I'm not really on Twitter."
Johnson has spoken with the coaching staff about his role, and while he wishes to keep those discussions private, he is "obviously not" satisfied with the decision to keep him behind Kenyan Drake on the depth chart.
"Any NFL player, any competitor, if you're not on the field, you're obviously going to be upset about it," Johnson said.
Johnson had five touches for 53 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers. He finished with 17 fewer snaps than Drake, but made the most of his opportunities.
"He knows what he can be when he's playing at a high level, and I think everybody else does," Kingsbury said. "We've just got to keep him rolling and keep him in a groove."
The Cardinals used Drake, Johnson and Chase Edmonds at different times on Sunday, and the position group will be a hot topic heading into 2020. Johnson was asked about his future with the team on Wednesday, but didn't want to speculate.
"I'm really just trying to finish this season off week by week," Johnson said. "I'm really just trying to, like I've been saying, get back on that playing field."
Johnson hopes the success against Pittsburgh will expand his role against the Browns, but is unsure if that will be the case. Whenever he does get the ball, Johnson is intent on showing he deserves a return to prominence.
"I have a chip on my shoulder," Johnson said. "Everyone's been knocking me down. I'm going to do everything I can to prove I've still got it."
THREE GUARDS MISS PRACTICE
Starting guards J.R. Sweezy (illness) and Justin Pugh (back) missed practice on Wednesday, as did top reserve guard Mason Cole (knee). Sweezy and Pugh have played every game this season, although Sweezy and Cole rotated on Sunday.
Safety Budda Baker (hamstring) and outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (back/illness) also missed practice. Those limited were wideout Andy Isabella (shoulder), wideout Christian Kirk (ankle), cornerback Byron Murphy (calf), cornerback Kevin Peterson (shoulder) and linebacker Joe Walker (ribs). Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and defensive tackle Corey Peters took rest days.
For the Browns, center J.C. Tretter (knee) and linebacker Sione Takitaki (illness) did not practice. Those limited were wideout Odell Beckham, Jr. (groin), wideout KhaDarel Hodge (Achilles), tackle Chris Hubbard (knee), wideout Jarvis Landry (hip), defensive back Eric Murray (knee), tight end David Njoku (knee) and defensive end Olivier Vernon (knee).
PRACTICE SQUAD ADDITION
The Cardinals signed defensive lineman Javier Edwards to the practice squad. An undrafted rookie out of Colorado, Edwards spent the preseason with the Texans and was also on their practice squad.
