Charles Johnson seemingly came out of nowhere to make an impact as a Vikings wide receiver this season. But Johnson isn’t surprised.
“I know my ability,” he said. “I think the coaching staff knows my ability. … I know what I can do in this league.”
Green Bay made Johnson a seventh-round draft pick out of Division II Grand Valley (Mich.) State in 2013. He spent last year on the Packers practice squad and with Cleveland, never getting into a game.
Johnson began this season on the Browns’ practice squad before the Vikings signed him on Sept. 20. He took the roster spot when star running back Adrian Peterson was placed on the NFL’s exempt list.
The wide receiver broke in slowly with his new team, catching six passes in the four games he played. Then, in last Sunday’s 21-13 loss at Chicago, with wide receivers Greg Jennings and Jarius Wright battling injuries, Johnson grabbed a career-high six passes for 87 yards.
“When the opportunity presents itself, when I’m there, I make the best of it,” Johnson said. “In my first year in the NFL, I was banged up with injuries, so that limited me (that season).”
The 6-foot-2, 217-pound Johnson had knee surgery after being picked up by the Browns in October 2013, so Minnesota offensive coordinator Norv Turner, then in that position with Cleveland, didn’t get a good look at him. But Turner sure likes what he’s seeing now.
“He’s a young receiver learning how to play, and I think he’s talented,” Turner said. “He’s got good size, he’s got good range, he catches the ball well away from his body. He’s got good quickness, he can run by you, and he’s got good feet so he can run intermediate routes.”
Wright (hamstring) practiced Thursday and Friday after sitting out Wednesday, while Jennings (ribs) was back Friday after missing two days. Regardless of the health of either, Johnson vows to be ready to make another significant contribution Sunday against Green Bay at TCF Bank Stadium.
Follow Chris Tomasson at twitter.com/christomasson.
