UPDATE: The Lions have placed Carson on IR with a hamstring injury. His season is over.
A week ago, the Detroit Lions placed running back Kerryon Johnson on injured reserve due to a knee injury suffered in Week 7. The thought at that point was that Ty Johnson would take over as the lead back, and J.D. McKissic would serve as a passing down option. However, Week 8 brought a surprise as waiver wire pickup Tra Carson ended up with the most touches among the three running backs.
Carson finished Week 8 with 12 rushes for 34 yards, Johnson had seven for 25 and one 13-yard reception, and McKissic had one rush for a loss of one and three catches for two yards. Little used Paul Perkins ended up with three rushes for four yards. Johnson actually had the most snaps (25) with Carson (19), McKissic (16), and Perkins (six) following.
Fantasy football analysis: Lions RBs Tra Carson, Ty Johnson
This is a tough situation to sort out. Carson very well could be the guy moving forward, but would anybody be surprised if this resulted in either a full-on platoon or a different starter depending on who they think is hot?
As noted by Mlive.com, Carson got off to a hot start, putting up runs of seven, four, and 12 yards on the opening drive. Things fizzled from there. Carson got a decent amount of work, but the touch total is likely to be the ceiling for him moving forward.
Carson is the guy to grab right now off waivers, but if you have roster spot, adding Ty Johnson to your bench is not the worst idea. There’s a chance at some point in the coming weeks he is the starter. Considering how many byes are coming up over the next few weeks, you might need him.