There was a time when Cardinals running back David Johnson would spot a sliver of an opening, plant a foot, square his shoulders to the line of scrimmage and accelerate so quickly that few defenders wanted much to do with the 224 pounds heading toward them.
On Sunday in Tampa, Johnson tiptoed. He lumbered. He dawdled. He moved with all the suddenness of a minivan. And he was benched in favor of Kenyan Drake, who has been with the team less than two weeks.
On Monday, Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury covered for Johnson.
Why didn’t Johnson play in the fourth quarter?