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Charlie Johnson | Guard

Team: Minnesota Vikings
Age / DOB:  (29) / 5/2/1984
Ht / Wt:  6'4' / 305
College: Oklahoma State
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Vikings LG Charlie Johnson has agreed to restructure his contract.
The new deal lowers Johnson's base salary by $500,000 and reduces his 2013 cap number to $3.85 million. While it doesn't give the Vikings much financial relief, it's a necessary move after Johnson vastly underperformed last season. He could face competition for his starting job. Mar 16 - 8:58 PM
Source: 1500 ESPN Twin Cities

Highest Searched Players over the last 7 days


Player News

Date:
Charlie Johnson - G - Vikings

Vikings LG Charlie Johnson is a candidate for release.

Johnson has started all 32 games since joining the Vikings prior to the 2011 season, 16 at left tackle and 16 at left guard after the team drafted Matt Kalil. Johnson is due a $500,000 roster bonus on March 16, in addition to a $2.95 million salary. The Vikings could save $2.55M in cap space with his release.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Feb 21 - 5:48 PM
Charlie Johnson - G - Vikings

Vikings GM Rick Spielman made it clear that Charlie Johnson will move to left guard now that Matt Kalil is taking over as the left tackle.

It's a no-brainer. Kalil is a prototypical blindside protector while Johnson struggled to keep edge rushers away from Christian Ponder last season. Johnson is adequate on the interior, but he's still a downgrade from Steve Hutchinson.
Related: Matt Kalil
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 12:09:00 PM
Charlie Johnson - G - Vikings

NFL Network's Mike Lombardi fully expects the Vikings to draft a left tackle with the No. 3 overall pick.

"They're not gonna go back with Charlie Johnson at left tackle," Lombardi insisted. "They'll pass on a receiver in order to get the left tackle. They can't block anybody." Christian Ponder has been oft-injured dating back to college, and the Vikings are well positioned to get Matt Kalil or Riley Reiff, the latter of whom is Mike Mayock's top-rated left tackle for 2012. Lombardi points out that Jeff Fisher and Mike Shanahan are "very close," and if there is a trade in the top five, he expects it to involve the Redskins and the Rams.
Related: Rams, Redskins
Source: Bill Simmons BS Report
Thu, Feb 9, 2012 11:38:00 AM
Charlie Johnson - G - Vikings

The Vikings are expected to consider moving LT Charlie Johnson to guard in 2012.

He sounds open to it. "As long as I'm in the lineup and playing on Sunday and helping this team win it doesn't matter," said Johnson. Johnson is a well below-average left tackle, but was much better at left guard in 2008 with the Colts. Moving Johnson would allow the Vikings to target a blind-side upgrade in the draft or free agency. The Vikes should have a shot at USC LT Matt Kalil with the No. 3 overall pick in April's draft.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Mon, Jan 2, 2012 08:19:00 PM
Charlie Johnson - G - Vikings

Vikings LT Charlie Johnson does not have a tear in his triceps.

Johnson went down in the fourth quarter of last week's loss in Kansas City and couldn't return. The Vikings kicked the tires on free agent Max Starks, but it looks like Donovan McNabb's blindside protector is going to be fine. Regardless, Johnson remains a poor bet to be effective.
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 12:49:00 PM
Charlie Johnson - G - Vikings

Vikings LT Charlie Johnson suffered a triceps injury in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs.

Johnson suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter. "I tried to come back, but I couldn't do it," he said. "I think I'll be o.k." Johnson may miss some practice this week, but sounds like he should be active against the Cardinals next Sunday. It's good news for a sluggish Arizona pass rush.
Related: Cardinals
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Mon, Oct 3, 2011 12:36:00 PM
Charlie Johnson - G - Vikings

Vikings LT Charlie Johnson has shown "marked improvement" since the opening of training camp.

Johnson is never going to be anyone's idea of the picture perfect-blindside tackle, but at least he's no longer doing his turnstile impression in practices. The Vikes' offensive line may not torpedo this offense after all.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Fri, Sep 9, 2011 11:16:00 AM
Charlie Johnson - G - Vikings

Vikings LT Charlie Johnson was "beaten badly" by Seahawks DE Raheem Brock on a first quarter sack of Donovan McNabb on Saturday night.

It's notable because Johnson has reportedly looked awful in practice, and is beginning to create serious doubt about whether or not he should be the Vikings' Week 1 blindside protector. Now would be a great time for free agent OT Bryant McKinnie to commit to getting in shape.
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Sun, Aug 21, 2011 09:32:00 AM
Charlie Johnson - G - Vikings

New Vikings LT Charlie Johnson was beaten like a drum by Jared Allen in his first practice with the team Thursday.

We don't usually do daily practice updates, but Johnson's beating was so severe that several Vikings beat writers were tweeting about the horrific effort on Thursday. He was going against the three-time All-Pro Allen, of course, but this has the potential to be one of the worst lines in football. Johnson is a natural guard -- not left tackle -- and LG Steve Hutchinson's play has bottomed out of late, particularly as a run blocker.
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter
Thu, Aug 4, 2011 06:32:00 PM
Charlie Johnson - G - Vikings

Vikings signed T/G Charlie Johnson, formerly of the Colts.

Johnson graded out poorly as a pass-blocking left tackle in Pro Football Focus' ratings, but he was Peyton Manning favorite. Johnson's value is in his versatility and reliability, as he played both sides at tackle and guard in Indy. It's a good bet that he's slated for right guard in Minnesota with Anthony Herrera coming off ACL surgery. The Vikings O-Line is still among the worst run-blocking units in the league.
Related: Colts, Anthony Herrera
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 12:50:00 PM
Charlie Johnson - G - Vikings

Free agent G/T Charlie Johnson would like to return to Indianapolis, but is unsure if the interest is mutual.

"I would like to be (in Indy)," Johnson said. "As far as me coming back or being gone, I don't know. I will just take it as it happens." If Johnson is re-signed by the Colts, he's expected to move to guard, with first-round pick Anthony Castonzo manning left tackle.
Source: Indianapolis Star
Mon, Jul 4, 2011 10:50:00 AM
Charlie Johnson - G - Vikings

Charlie Johnson, last year's left tackle, is expected to be moved inside to guard with Anthony Castonzo handling the blindside.

The alternative is to allow Johnson to battle for the right tackle job, though it's doubtful that Ryan Diem would be discarded in the final year of his contract. A five-year vet, Johnson's free agency is likely to be restricted if the market opens next week.
Related: Ryan Diem
Source: Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 01:05:00 PM
Charlie Johnson - G - Vikings

Colts LT Charlie Johnson left Thursday's game with a shoulder injury.

Johnson isn't an elite tackle, but backup Jeff Linkenbach represents a major downgrade in both run and pass blocking. Johnson's return is considered questionable.
Thu, Dec 9, 2010 10:14:00 PM
Charlie Johnson - G - Vikings

Colts starting LT Charlie Johnson missed Sunday's win over the Broncos with a sprained right foot.

This is the same foot that has plagued Johnson since early in training camp. Backup Jeff Linkenbach held up decently against Robert Ayers in his first career start, but he's not a long-term solution. The Colts need Johnson on Peyton Manning's blind side.
Related: Jeff Linkenbach
Source: Indianapolis Star
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 10:00:00 AM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Christian Ponder
2Matt Cassel
3McLeod Bethel-Thompson
4James Vandenberg
RB1Adrian Peterson
2Toby Gerhart
3Matt Asiata
4Joe Banyard
5Jerodis Williams
GLB1Adrian Peterson
2Toby Gerhart
3RB1Adrian Peterson
2Toby Gerhart
FB1Jerome Felton
2Zach Line
WR11Greg Jennings
2Jarius Wright
3Joe Webb
4Greg Childs
5Chris Summers
WR21Jerome Simpson
2Cordarrelle Patterson
3Stephen Burton
4Rodney Smith
5Erik Highsmith
WR31Cordarrelle Patterson
TE1Kyle Rudolph
2John Carlson
3Rhett Ellison
4Chase Ford
5Colin Anderson
K1Blair Walsh