Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Charles Johnson finished the 2014 season in a flurry, catching 25 passes for 415 yards and two touchdowns over his final seven games. That impressive stretch set him up as quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's No. 1 target in the passing game for 2015, an opportunity cut short early in the season.
Though Johnson failed to make a real difference in Minnesota's first two games of the 2015 season - 5 catches, 37 yards - it was a broken rib suffered on September 27 against the San Diego Chargers that officially removed him from the No. 1 gig. Johnson, working back for a short throw from Bridgewater, collided with San Diego's Steve Williams and after, could feel his rib "popping in and out."
"I was like, 'Man, what is going on?'" Johnson said. "I went in for the next play, and I knew the ball was coming to me - it was a deep ball. I was running, and it was just popping. I ended up getting a [pass interference penalty against Williams], but I just couldn't move to go get it. I was like, 'Yeah, something's not right.'"
The injury would sideline Johnson for almost a month and provide rookie Stefon Diggs with the opportunity to step up in his place. Johnson would catch only three balls the rest of the season while Diggs held firm to his new position in the pecking order.
Now 100 percent recovered from the nagging injury, Johnson hopes to re-establish himself within Minnesota's offense, especially since the Vikings have not added another veteran WR this offseason. He has worked out with Bridgewater and other Vikings wide receivers this offseason and has been working on his foot speed to add quickness for the upcoming season. Will it be enough?
In the hopes of helping Bridgewater take the next step in his development, many believe Minnesota will target a wide receiver early in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft. The team has hosted at least four pass-catching prospects recently, including likely first-round talents Josh Doctson (TCU) and Laquon Treadwell (Ole Miss). But Johnson, who is one of Minnesota's bigger receivers at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, isn't worried about any outside pressure.
"I don't really care," he said. "It's really not going to affect me and my approach to the season. I'm going to give it everything I have. We'll see what happens, and may the best man win. I know what I can do."
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
