Stevie Johnson Injury: Updates on Chargers WR's Knee and Recovery
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Stevie Johnson suffered a knee injury at training camp on July 31 and had to be helped off the field. The injury required surgery and ultimately would end his 2016 season.
Continue for updates.
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Johnson Placed on Injured Reserve
Monday, Aug. 15
The Chargers officially moved Johnson to the IR list on Monday, according to Jay Paris of the Associated Press, which means he will miss the entire season.
Johnson's Diagnosis Revealed
Monday, Aug. 1
Chargers head coach Mike McCoy told reporters Johnson will undergo surgery "soon" and that the team won't have a timetable for his return until after the procedure.
Earlier in the day, Michael Silver of NFL Network reported Johnson has a torn meniscus and would undergo surgery. Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported the "exact nature" of the injury to Johnson's meniscus has yet to be determined.
Johnson Suffers Knee Injury During Drill
Sunday, July 31
Gehlken described Johnson as having "injured his right knee shortly after making a diving catch during a [seven-on-seven] drill." Johnson did not apply pressure to the leg while being helped off the field, according to Gehlken.
Johnson Has Struggled to Stay Healthy in Recent Years
This is a devastating setback for Johnson and the Chargers. He played only 10 games last season due to injuries and hasn't appeared in all 16 contests since the 2012 campaign.
Johnson was at his best as a member of the Buffalo Bills, when he topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark in three straight seasons from 2010 to 2012. He struggled with the San Francisco 49ers in 2014 (435 receiving yards), but the Chargers signed him before 2015 because of his track record in Buffalo and ability to stretch the defense with his speed and route-running abilities.
Losing Johnson is a blow, but San Diego does have some pieces to keep its passing game afloat.
Keenan Allen is the No. 1 wide receiver option and already has a 1,000-yard campaign on his resume from his rookie season. The Chargers also signed Travis Benjamin during the offseason after his breakout effort in 2015. He notched 966 receiving yards and five touchdown catches for a disappointing Cleveland Browns team that finished 3-13.
Elsewhere, tight end Antonio Gates is a future Hall of Famer who's a matchup nightmare for defenses.
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