Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson terrified fantasy football loyalists everywhere when he muddled through a five-carry, eight-yard performance in the team's preseason opener.
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Johnson looked nothing like the man who rushed for 2,006 yards in 2009 and another 1,364 in 2010. He looked an awful lot like the back who plodded out of the gate in 2011, which is troubling considering the six-year, $55.26 million contract Tennessee furnished him with last summer.
The Titans remain calm.
"It's hard to evaluate and judge people on five snaps," coach Mike Munchaktold the Tennessean.
Munchak told the newspaper he plans to double Johnson's workload in Friday night's preseason road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That should be enough of an opportunity to quiet his doubters.
We've heard a lot about Johnson's improved focus this offseason, but these August matchups don't appear to be high on his list. "Lol preseason," he tweeted after hearing it from fans following the eight-yard explosion.
We doubt the Titans are LOLing behind the scenes, and it's not too much to ask of Johnson -- with $30 million guaranteed -- to find some meaning in these trial affairs.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.