Cardinals running back David Johnson won the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award for his effort against the 49ers.

If the Cardinals need to ride David Johnson the rest of this season, the running back is OK with that role.

"I'm continually growing and getting more comfortable, especially with some of the vets on our team," Johnson said after the Cardinals beat the 49ers last week.

"Larry (Fitzgerald), every time I run the ball, he's jumping on my back and getting excited. That pumps me up. Just to see Jermaine's (Gresham) passion on the field, the way he gets after guys. He's always talking and telling us to run it on his side. He's demanding us to run towards him. That definitely pumps me up and keeps me going."

Johnson certainly was that player against the Niners, which is why he was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week Wednesday. Johnson rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns, and added another three catches for 28 yards.

It's the second player of the week award for the Cardinals this season. Cornerback Marcus Cooper won NFC Defensive Player of the Week after the team's Week 2 win over the Buccaneers.

Johnson is the first Cardinals running back to be named player of the week since LeShon Johnson won it in Week 4 of the 1996 season. Johnson ran for 214 yards against the Saints in that performance.

With starting quarterback Carson Palmer returning against the Jets for Monday night's game, the Cardinals will be trying to jump-start their passing game. But they have Johnson to lean on if needed.

"He's the catalyst," Fitzgerald said. "He makes it go offensively."