Chiefs waive Larry Johnson
After serving his one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team, running back Larry Johnson was waived by the Chiefs, per the Associated Press.
For teams interested in Johnson, they can make a waiver claim for him by 4 p.m. today. If a team claims Johnson off waivers, they would owe him the prorated remainder of his $4.55 million salary. If he clears waivers, then he would be free to sign with any team.
Chiefs coach Todd Haley wouldn't comment specifically on whether it was his low production or his recent off-the-field issues that were the primary reason for his release.
“It wouldn’t be fair of me to try to comment on that in any way other than to say the totality of the situation was factored in—what we felt was best for the Kansas City Chiefs,” Haley said.
In any event, Johnson, who had 2,199 yards from scrimmage in 2006, could provide some value to some teams who need help at running back.
However, those teams will likely think twice.
Not only has his production declined considerably and he's nearly 30 years old (Nov. 19th), he's a potential cancer to bring to the locker room (and to the night clubs in the team's community).
Some rumored landing spots for LJ are Pittsburgh, by whom Johnson thought he might have been drafted, and Washington, where Clinton Portis recently suffered a concussion and is doubtful for Sunday's game.
Meanwhile that leaves Jamaal Charles, who is averaging over 5 yards per carry for his career, as the starting running back in KC.
In his start Sunday, however, Charles was only given six carries (for 36 yards) while Kolby Smith, who was activated from the PUP list, received four carries.
Charles (and Kansas City) has favorable matchups down the stretch in fantasy football against average-to-bad run defenses, such as Oakland, San Diego, Buffalo and Cleveland. It remains to be seen whether the Chiefs will allow Charles to take advantage of those matchups by giving him the rock.
Follow @EDSFootball
