Here’s some good news on Juwan Johnson. The New Orleans Saints tight end’s recovery from foot surgery is “progressing on schedule” and he could return to the lineup soon, per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill. Johnson developed a stress fracture in his foot during minicamp practices in the spring and has been slowly ramping up at training camp to prepare for the start of the regular season.
The goal all along was for Johnson to return in time for the Saints’ Week 1 kickoff with the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 8, and it sounds like that’s still the expectation. And the team could use his help. Foster Moreau and Dallin Holker have taken most of the snaps at tight end through training camp but Holker sprained an ankle warming up for Sunday night’s preseason game with the San Francisco 49ers. Getting Johnson back out there would be good for everyone.
Johnson fell back to Earth a bit last year with Derek Carr at quarterback, totaling just 37 receptions for 368 yards and 4 touchdowns, but he finished the season strong and he projects favorably in Klint Kubiak’s offense. We just may have to wait until Week 1 to get a look at him in this new system.