When the Jets take the field next week for OTA workouts, new running back Chris Johnson will be a spectator.
Johnson, who had offseason surgery on his right knee, said he believes the team will keep him sidelined through the workouts over the next few weeks.
“I think they’re gonna hold me out of OTAs and just let me continue to rehab until I get 100 percent,” Johnson said. “Take it slow, since I have time on my side, and just be ready for [training] camp.”
Johnson said the surgically repaired knee is “feeling good,” but the team is taking a cautious approach. He played nearly the entire 2013 season with the Titans with a torn meniscus in the knee. Johnson, who signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Jets last month, said he has just begun running this week.
The Jets added Johnson to a backfield that already had Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell and Mike Goodson. They also picked up Daryl Richardson last week. Johnson said he is not sure how carries will be divided. Johnson averaged 290 carries per season in six years with the Titans. He won’t see that number with the Jets.
“I know the situation coming in, and we’re just gonna work together and everybody’s goal is to put wins on the board,” Johnson said. “We’re not really worried about the carries, or who’s gonna play this down, that down — we’re just all about one focus, and that’s winning.”
Ivory, who rushed for 833 yards to lead the Jets last season, believes Johnson will help the team. Running back was viewed as one of the positions the Jets were OK at entering this offseason. But Ivory was not shocked when the team signed Johnson.
“Why would it surprise me?” Ivory said. “It’s just another guy on the team with great talent, and somebody that can add diversity to the team and just give us another weapon, added explosiveness to what we have.”