NFL 2018: 5 injured players in 2017 that could be impactful in 2018

#3 David Johnson

David Johnson has been one of the league's top runners in past 4 years. Last year he was primed to have another best season but the injury bug bit him early in week 1. Johnson who missed almost the entire season due to wrist injury is back with the team during OTAs.

Cardinals season derailed due to injuries to their key players starting with David Johnson and now retired quarterback Carson Palmer. Johnson was one of the key players in the now former Head Coach Bruce Arians' offensive scheme, who retired after the 2017 season.

With a new Head coach in Steve Wilks and new quarterback Sam Bradford taking the realms, the return of their star running back will be a sigh of relief for them. Wilks, a defensive-minded coach would love to have a running back who can do it all by rushing and catching the balls. Also, a quarterback who has a troubled injury history like Sam Bradford or even a rookie like Josh Rosen could use the expertise of David Johnson to help relieve the pressure on them.

The one player in the Cardinals who probably is happier than any about David Johnson's return should be the future Hall of Fame receiver Larry Fitzerald. The veteran receiver who is in the backend of his career would like to have an effective run game to help the quarterback to run more Run-Pass Options helping him get the ball more.

Johnson who enters the final year of his contract could seek a contract extension before the start of the season. But Cardinals would be wary in extending before seeing him back on the field. There could be an under-the-radar contract dispute between the player and the team on the course to the regular season.