If we were the type of organization that named training camp/preseason MVPs (and actually, don’t put it past us…I don’t know that anything is beneath SoBros Network…), wide receiver Marcus Johnson could’ve very well been that guy. The wide receiver was routinely noted for his consistent play-making all summer long for the Tennessee Titans offense. Johnson developed a strong rapport with Ryan Tannehill, and drew attention for being a big, physical wide receiver that could go up and get the ball. He’s always had that potential, but for one reason or another, hasn’t put it all together yet. Titans fans were excited to see him get the chance to put it all together in Nashville this season.
But, the injury bug reared its ugly head and bit down. Johnson was placed on IR with a hamstring injury before the season started. He returned to practice, and I thought he might make his season debut in the game against the New York Jets. It didn’t happen. Instead, his return came a week later in yesterday’s 37-19 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was targeted five times in his return, and turned that into three catches for 52 yards (a 17.3 YPC average). It’s not exactly like he lit up the stat sheet, but that stat line was good enough to lead the Titans in receiving on the day, and it’s obvious that he and Tannehill are trying to get the chemistry they had throughout the summer back.
Besides, what won’t show up on the stat sheet are the importance and timeliness of the catches he made. One converted a 3rd & 5. Another converted a 3rd & 4. Johnson and Tannehill left a big play on the field, as Tannehill threw one into the dirt. Without having access to a Titans playbook, the best guess we can make based on where Johnson was running, where Tannehill threw the ball, and his body language after the game is that he was expecting Johnson to break in. Instead, he took it upfield. But, that minor miscue aside, it was evident that Johnson was trusted to show up in big situations. In his post game press conference, Mike Vrabel noted his fluid movement in talking about how good it was to get him back. After an encouraging return to action, it sure as hell sounds like Johnson is going to be a valuable addition to this passing game.
Marcus Johnson on getting back for the #Titans and playing a role in their win. Says he had a lot of peace knowing how much the organization believed in him. pic.twitter.com/DOPmnDw8io
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) October 10, 2021
Moving forward, you can start to see the full vision of this offense once all of its weapons are back and healthy. AJ Brown has missed time this season. Julio Jones remained inactive for another game. Josh Reynolds has been eased back into action. Anthony Firkser has also missed time. Johnson has been on IR. This is a unit that has yet to see the field all together, all at the same time. I imagine it’ll only get better as guys, like Johnson, continue to get healthy and get back in the rotation.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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