Chris Johnson expects to be able to play Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars despite a right ankle injury as the Tennessee Titans try to keep their faint playoff hopes alive.
"It's pretty sore," the Titans' three-time Pro Bowl running back said Tuesday after watching a short practice. "I haven't ran on it or anything. ... But after the game, trying to walk on it, I was limping really bad. Yesterday, I was limping really bad. I had to shoot a commercial yesterday, and I couldn't really walk that much on it. I'm doing much better today."
Johnson has endured by far his worst season after missing all of the preseason before signing a $53.5 million extension. But he's still just 70 yards away from 1,000 rushing after making little impact during the first half of the season. That would mean topping 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons, something only Hall of Fame back Earl Campbell (1978-81) and Eddie George (1996-00) have done with this franchise.
"Of course, any running back wants over 1,000 yards," Johnson said. "That puts you up there in a group with the elite running backs and things like that, even though (I'm) not having the best of years. Still to go 1,000 yards, that's something a lot of people probably thought wouldn't happen this year."
Titans coach Mike Munchak is assuming Johnson will be fine and said the running back will be evaluated again after running Wednesday.
The Titans will be thin at running back if Johnson can't go. His main backup, Javon Ringer (broken right hand), was placed on season-ending injured reserve Monday night, and the team signed fullback Quinn Johnson, who filled in for Ahmard Hall during the first four games of the season. Hall took some snaps Tuesday at running back.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
