David Johnson taken from Cards-Rams game on cart

This is a sentence Cardinals fans have dreaded ever since Arizona was eliminated from this year’s playoffs: David Johnson was taken off the field on a cart.

Johnson, playing in the first quarter of a meaningless game, attempted a short run around the left side of the Cards’ line when he was met by the Los Angeles Rams’ Eugene Sims. Johnson’s progress stopped as Sims rolled him to the ground … atop Johnson’s left leg and ankle, which bent at a cringeworthy and awkward angle.

Johnson didn’t return to the game. After evaluation in the locker room, Johnson put on a good face on the sideline and head coach Bruce Arians was optimistic after Sunday’s 44-6 victory, per Arizona Republic beat writer Kent Somers:

Johnson has been nothing short of incredible this season for a losing team; he had amassed at least 100 yards from scrimmage in every single game this season, and you could make a reasonable case for MVP. If there’s any glimmer of hope from this injury, it’s that Johnson won’t need to play a meaningful snap for eight months.

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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports and the author of EARNHARDT NATION, on sale now at Amazon or wherever books are sold. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.