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Chris Johnson | Running Back

Team: Tennessee Titans
Age / DOB:  (27) / 9/23/1985
Ht / Wt:  5'11' / 191
College: East Carolina
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Chris Johnson expects the Titans to sport a "run-first offense" in 2013.
"Basically we’re learning a new playbook right now and there’s a lot of different things going in," CJ?K said. "Last year ... we basically were trying to turn into like a passing team. Coming in this year, (we know) it’s going to be a run-first offense." CJ?K isn't imagining things, as the Titans have gone to great lengths to upgrade their formerly woeful interior line, while also signing Shonn Greene to be a "change of pace" back. The less the Titans put on erratic third-year QB Jake Locker's plate, the better. May 7 - 7:27 PM

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Date:

Chris Johnson expressed confusion over the Titans' signing of Shonn Greene.

The guy that tossed his offensive line under the bus a year ago now appears worried about his potential workload. "I have never been a big fan of the two-back system, so I don't know how we plan on using him," Johnson said. "I don't mind a guy getting a carry or two. But if I am the main guy and it is supposed to be my team ... it shouldn't be an issue." Johnson has averaged 349.7 total touches per season over the last four years. Expect that number to dip to around 300, with Greene handling the majority of short-yardage and goal-line work.
Mar 21 - 8:13 AM

While announcing the Shonn Greene signing, coach Mike Munchak confirmed that Chris Johnson remains his feature back.

Greene was brought in to complement Johnson, not create a timeshare. "C.J. is our main back and will continue to be," Munchak said. Munchak previously said he still expects Johnson to get 300 touches in 2013, but wanted more of them to come via the passing game. The bigger concern for CJ?K's fantasy game is the vulturing of goal-line chances. Greene was an NFL best 11-of-11 when the Jets faced third-and-2 or shorter last year. He's going to be the short-yardage back.
Mar 14 - 8:22 AM

Chris Johnson once again blamed his offensive line for his struggles last season.

"What a lot of people don't understand, I was playing with an offensive line that only had one starter," Johnson said. "I had four offensive linemen hurt. I felt like I did good with the situation I was dealt." He certainly has a point as the Titans' interior line play was woeful, but making excuses isn't going to help a player whose effort has been fairly questioned. Johnson has been held under 50 rushing yards in 12 of his last 32 games.
Source: NFL.com
Feb 28 - 11:40 AM

Coach Mike Munchak suggested that Chris Johnson will have his short-yardage carries reduced in 2013.

The Titans have been open about their desire to add a big back via the draft or free agency. It's a concern for the projected touchdown total of a player that has run for just 10 scores over his last 32 games. Munchak believes Johnson will get his usual 300-plus touches in 2013, but expects more to come via the passing game. We'll get a better read on the situation when we see exactly who the Titans bring in to replace free agent backup Javon Ringer.
Feb 28 - 9:02 AM

New Titans RBs coach Sylvester Croom says Tennessee plans to add a second running back this offseason to help Chris Johnson shoulder the load.

The Titans still plan to "feature" Johnson as the lead back in their committee, but they intend to upgrade on Jamie Harper. "I truly believe if you’re serious about running the football, you’ve got to have two guys actually both able to carry the load during the season," Croom said. "If you’re going to really run, I’m talking 30-plus times a game, there aren’t many that can do that for 16 games anymore, their bodies can’t take it."
Source: ESPN.com
Feb 11 - 3:38 PM

Titans coach Mike Munchak confirms Chris Johnson hasn't been asked to restructure his contract, and will play at his scheduled $10 million salary in 2013.

CJ?K's Twitter angst was for naught. No longer the player who rushed for 2,006 yards in 2009, Johnson has established himself as one of the most hot-and-cold backs in the league. Still only 27, Johnson should have at least 2-3 more productive years under his belt, but will likely become an annual candidate to restructure his contract. He's due $8 million in both 2014 and 2015, and $9 million between salary and bonuses in 2016.
Feb 7 - 4:41 PM

According to Profootballtalk, Chris Johnson met with Titans coach Mike Munchak on Thursday, and there was "no mention" of his contract.

Per a source with knowledge of the exchange, it's being interpreted as a "clear sign" the Titans will keep CJ?K. Johnson's contract has been an issue this week because $9 million of his $10 million salary becomes guaranteed on Saturday. Johnson has four seasons and $35 million remaining on his deal. He could be a more serious candidate for release or a massive restructure next offseason.
Feb 7 - 1:37 PM

A source with knowledge of the situation tells Profootballtalk the Titans fully intend to keep Chris Johnson for 2013, and haven't even approached him about taking a pay-cut.

There have been multiple reports that the Titans had no intention of releasing their up-and-down feature runner, but CJ?K himself restarted speculation by wondering aloud about his future on Twitter. The fact that the Titans have yet to even approach Johnson about reducing his hefty $10 million 2013 salary is a strong indication he isn't going anywhere.
Feb 6 - 4:19 PM

According to CBS' Jason La Canfora, the Titans intend to exercise Chris Johnson's 2013 contract.

The Titans could have cut Johnson this week at no charge against the salary cap. They've chosen not to wash their hands of him. Johnson is set to earn $10 million in 2013, $9 million of which will become guaranteed on Saturday. CJ?K now enters a make-or-break season in Tennessee after two straight years of questionable effort and disappointing production. No longer a special back in terms of getting himself in space or breaking tackles, Johnson would benefit greatly from an overhaul of the Titans' interior offensive line.
Feb 5 - 12:44 PM

Chris Johnson told 104.5 The Zone in Nashville on Friday that he's received no assurances on his 2013 roster spot from the Titans.

$9 million of Johnson's $10 million base salary becomes guaranteed if he's on the roster beyond February 9. Johnson said he's had no contact with the Titans since the season ended. "Throughout everything that's been going on and all this talk, I never have talked to anybody about (the contract)," he said. "So I'm not sure." Asked if he'd be "surprised" if the Titans released him, Johnson replied "I don't know. Because there's been so much talk about it. I know there's probably discussions about it or whatever. I couldn't say I wouldn't be surprised, but it wouldn't be no bad blood." Johnson continued to complain about his offensive line and is hoping the organization "revamps" the front five again this offseason.
Feb 1 - 3:38 PM

In the five games following OC Chis Palmer's firing last season, Chris Johnson played on 86 percent of the offensive snaps.

Johnson's snap count would have been even higher if he didn't tweak an ankle in Week 16. It's notable because Dowell Loggains was the interim offensive coordinator during that stretch and he has since landed the job full time. He appears intent on using Johnson for virtually every snap on every down. The concern going forward isn't workload -- it's CJ?K's two-year stretch of failing to break tackles and get himself in space.
Jan 23 - 9:54 AM

Titans will not renew the contract of RBs coach Jim Skipper.

Spiller is apparently taking the fall for Chris Johnson's dramatic inconsistency over the past two seasons. "Chris is the type of back that's going to need help, you know?" Skipper said on his way out. "He's not the kind of guy who is going to make his own holes. But I think he is in the right direction. ... If they can get some stability on the offensive line, he'll be fine."
Jan 3 - 3:43 PM

Chris Johnson rushed 21 times for 56 yards and a touchdown, and caught one ball for nine yards in the Titans' Week 17 win over Jacksonville.

Although Johnson's week-to-week performances were maddeningly inconsistent, he displayed improved effort this season en route to 1,243 yards and six touchdowns on 276 carries (4.50 YPC), along with 36 receptions. At this stage of 27-year-old Johnson's career, he is blocking-dependent to the extent that he requires legitimate running lanes in order to put his sprinter's speed to use. He does not break tackles or make defenders miss like he once did. Johnson will be a dicey late first- to early second-round pick in 2013 fantasy drafts. The Titans are fully expected to pay his $10 million base salary for next season.
Sun, Dec 30, 2012 05:11:00 PM

Chris Johnson is active for Week 17 against the Jaguars, as expected.

Johnson didn't practice much this week, but the coaching staff all along expected him to play. Jacksonville has been brutal in run defense all season, so Johnson should finish up a mediocre season with a strong close. Tennessee's Week 17 inactives are QB Rusty Smith, OL Daniel Baldridge, TE Craig Stevens, OL Kevin Matthews, CB Ryan Mouton, WR Damian Williams, and DT DaJohn Harris.
Sun, Dec 30, 2012 11:44:00 AM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Jake Locker
2Ryan Fitzpatrick
3Rusty Smith
4Nate Enderle
RB1Chris Johnson
2Shonn Greene
3Darius Reynaud
4Jalen Parmele
5Alvester Alexander
GLB1Shonn Greene
2Chris Johnson
3RB1Chris Johnson
2Shonn Greene
FB1Quinn Johnson
2Collin Mooney
WR11Kenny Britt
2Damian Williams
3Kevin Walter
4Michael Preston
5Marc Mariani
WR21Kendall Wright
2Justin Hunter
3Nate Washington
4Diondre Borel
5Roberto Wallace
WR31Justin Hunter
TE1Delanie Walker
2Craig Stevens
3Taylor Thompson
4Brandon Barden
5Martell Webb
K1Rob Bironas