Johnson back, optimistic about playing
Backpedaling and cutting sharply during drills, Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson returned to practice Monday for the first time since injuring his knee against the Bengals on Sept. 14.
Johnson, who missed four games with a Grade 2 sprain of the medial collateral ligament, is optimistic about his chances of returning Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
“That’s the goal,” Johnson said. “Definitely going to go out there and give my best effort. I’m feeling good.”
Johnson underwent surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his foot last season and was placed on injured reserve. It was the second time the former first-round draft pick from Wake Forest had that foot repaired, and he also had wrist surgery following his broken wrist as a rookie.
“It’s just part of the game,” Johnson said. “Appreciating when you’re out there. Every time you’re out there you got to give your full effort, your best effort, but it’s definitely a big learning experience for me not being able to be out there with my teammates and I’m definitely going to go out there and take advantage of it when I’m out there.”
Having Johnson back should provide a boost for a secondary that’s lacked continuity at the third cornerback position behind veterans Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson. Not having Johnson, preceded by the loss of top cornerback A.J. Bouye, during free agency has made the secondary more vulnerable than last season, when the Texans finished second in pass defense and first in total defense.
Joseph intercepted two passes against the Browns, returning one for a touchdown. Now, Johnson is hoping to make some big plays of his own.
“Oh yeah, no question about it,” Johnson said. “I’m definitely itching to get back out there and make some plays for this defense.”
Texans coach Bill O’Brien was encouraged by what he saw from Johnson in his first practice back.
“Yeah, he looked pretty good,” O’Brien said. “Looked like he was moving around pretty good. I guess we’ll see how it goes throughout the week, but I feel good about it.”