Eagles claim RB Kerryon Johnson off waivers from Lions

Amid reports that the Detroit Lions planned to release running back Kerryon Johnson, general manager Brad Holmes said Thursday that the situation was "a work in progress."

That's no longer the case. 

On Friday, the Philadelphia Eagles confirmed they have claimed Johnson off waivers from the Lions. Johnson became surplus to requirements in Detroit after the club signed Jamaal Williams to partner with 2020 rookie D'Andre Swift and then selected Oregon State Beavers ball-carrier Jermar Jefferson in the seventh round of this year's draft.

Johnson, 23, entered the NFL when Detroit drafted him in the second round in 2018, and he rushed for 641 yards his debut season. However, he's been slowed by multiple injury setbacks during his brief pro career, and he fell beneath both Swift and future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson on the Detroit depth chart last fall. Johnson finished the campaign with 181 yards on the ground and 3.5 yards per carry.

Johnson is set to earn slightly under $1.37 million on the final year of his rookie contract, so he's a potential low-risk/high-reward acquisition for a team that won only four games last season.