NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans on Tuesday waived injured rookie running back Stafon Johnson, the former USC standout whose college career was ended by a weightlifting accident that crushed his neck.
As soon as Johnson clears waivers, coach Jeff Fisher said the Titans will place the rookie on injured reserve to keep him around the training facilities during his recovery.
Johnson dislocated his right ankle and broke his fibula Saturday night during the Titans' 20-18 preseason-opening loss at Seattle. Before Tuesday's move, Fisher had said Johnson would be out up to 12 weeks recovering from what he called "major reconstructive surgery."
"We have not given up on him, just the opposite of that," Fisher said after practice. "We are going to put him on injured reserve for the year."
Johnson was at the Titans' headquarters after being waived and even talked to reporters in the locker room after practice about his plans to return better than ever.
The Titans replaced Johnson on the roster by signing veteran Samkon Gado, who has 268 carries for 972 yards and 11 touchdowns in 41 NFL games. He has played for the Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins and, most recently, the St. Louis Rams. Gado was on the field for Tuesday's practice.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
