Chris Johnson to Participate in Tennessee Titans Offseason Workouts

Titans running back Chris Johnson, who stumbled through the 2011 regular season after missing much of training camp due to a contract dispute, will participate in the team's voluntary offseason workouts, set to begin next Monday.

While participation in the workouts doesn't ensure a bounce-back year for the former 2,000 yard runner, it's a sign that he's committed to avoiding a repeat of 2011, during which he finished with career-lows in rushing yards, yards per carry and touchdowns.

Johnson has traditionally worked out in his offseason home in Florida, but he has plenty of incentive to head back to Nashville this offseason. He can forfeit up to $250,000 in base salary if he misses six of the team's voluntary workouts. 

Financial stipulations involving player workouts are a regular part of contract structures in today's game, although they typically center around a player's participation to earn additional money, rather than the reduction of his pay based on missing a certain number of offseason sessions.  

Many cited Johnson's prolonged holdout as a reason for his on-field regression in 2011, so his presence at the team's facility for the workout program is a mutually beneficial endeavor.  

He'll once again be the center of an offense that has made improvements along the offensive line this offseason, highlighted by the addition of free agent guard Steve Hutchinson.  The team is also expected to target a center in the upcoming NFL draft.