Why Is Tennessee Titans RB Chris Johnson Struggling This Year?

From a fantasy football perspective, Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans was arguably the biggest disappointment from the 2011 season after rushing for just 1,049 yards and four touchdowns. Expectations were high for Johnson heading into the 2012 season now that he would be in better shape, but through the first two games–Johnson has been more disappointing than he was in 2011.

In two games combined against the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers, Johnson has only recorded 21 rushing yards on 19 attempts–which is absolutely terrible for a running back as talented as Johnson. It’s one thing if the offensive line is struggling to open up holes for Johnson on offense, but the fact that Johnson only has 21 yards is nothing short of ridiculous.

What’s even worse–New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow has more rushing yards than Johnson over the first two weeks of the regular season with 33.

There’s still plenty of time for Johnson to bounce back and prove himself over the next 14 games for the Titans, but he’l need to figure out what the problem is quick if Tennessee has any chance of competing in the AFC South this season. For a player that was rewarded with a six-year deal for $55 million prior to last year after holding out all of training camp and the preseason, this is no excuse on Johnson’s end.

Let’s not forget either, Johnson is one of six running backs in NFL history to break the 2,000-yard rushing barrier in a single season–which makes his lack of production even more frustrating to accept.

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