Former Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson announces retirement

Former Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL on Instagram Sunday.

"8 Years 4 teams with 1 goal in mind, create a better life for my family," Johnson posted to Instagram. "I never dreamed of being the all time leading rusher of my dream school or being somewhere on the list of all time players to come out of South FL. I just wanted an opportunity to play a game to provide a better life for my family and I was able to do just that. I want to thank each team for giving me the chance to play and represent your organization and all the fans that supported me through the highs and lows."

Johnson, 30, was originally taken by the Browns in the third round (77th overall) out of the University of Miami. He left Coral Gables as the Hurricanes' all-time rushing leader.

Over four seasons with the Browns, Johnson appeared in 64 games, starting 10. He rushed for 1,286 yards on 299 carries with five rushing touchdowns in Cleveland.

Johnson had a career-high 104 carries as a rookie in 2015 for 379 yards, which was his best rushing total with the Browns. He finished his career with 532 carries for 2,265 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Johnson was also an effective receiver out of the backfield. He had 2,170 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns on 235 catches with the Browns.

That manifested itself in 2017, when he had 74 catches for 693 yards and three touchdown. Johnson finished his career with 311 catches for 2,870 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Johnson agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Browns in June 2018. However, he was traded to the Houston Texans during training camp in 2019 after a dispute with the team for a conditional 2020 fourth-round pick that became a third-rounder after he appeared in all 16 games for the Texans that season, rushing for a career-best 410 yards.

Johnson spent two seasons with the Texans before being released in February 2021. The Miami Dolphins signed him in December 2021, and he appeared in five games.

The Buffalo Bills signed Johnson in 2022, but he bounced between the practice squad and active roster. He appeared in one game for the Bills.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Duke Johnson, former Browns running back, announces retirement