Arizona Cardinals training camp: David Johnson returns to practice, other injury updates

The pentultimate week of training camp began on Monday and rookie third round pick David Johnson finally participated with pads on.

Johnson, who suffered a grade 2 hamstring injury on an impressive run in the first days of camp with no pads, was seen on the field doing individual drills and workouts on the sideline. He did not take any reps in 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 work.

Also working out on the side and in pads were running back Marion Grice, safety Chris Clemons and receiver Travis Harvey.

Head coach Bruce Arians has expressed public frustration about Johnson's missed time. The rookie was expected to make a contribution to the offense, projected to be the team's backup running back to Andre Ellington. Arians told the media "there's no way in hell" he would play Johnson in the regular season for any sort of expanded role if he didn't practice in training camp.

Johnson's return gives hope that he can get some reps with pads on. The team breaks camp the end of next week before their third preseason game. The hope is Johnson can practice some this week and play on Saturday against the San Diego Chargers and practice the final week.

Johnson's role will be lessened in any case, as the team added veteran running back Chris Johnson. Some could say the potential signing was motivation for Johnson to get back to practice. Arians jokingly dispelled that notion, saying the rookie "might be too young" to know who the other Johnson is.