Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita is out this week with a neck injury, and as a result rookie James-Michael Johnson will start in his place against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Fujita has only played in three games this season, but Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron said when Fujita is out, the team misses his leadership. His ability to call plays when needed can help take some of the leadership load off fellow linebacker D'Qwell Jackson.
There are rumors that Fujita could have a career-ending neck injury, but that has yet to be confirmed. Fujita missed the Browns' 34-24 win over the Bengals in Week 6 with what was termed to be a shoulder injury at the time.
The Browns selected Johnson in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Nevada. Johnson saw his first action of the season at linebacker in the Bengals game, registering three tackles. He missed the first four games of the season with a ribs/oblique injury.