NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Titans waived injured rookie running back Stafon Johnson, the former Southern California standout whose college career was ended by a weightlifting accident that crushed his neck.
As soon as he clears waivers, coach Jeff Fisher said they will put him on injured reserve to keep him around the training facilities during his recovery.
Johnson dislocated his right ankle and broke his fibula Saturday night in the Titans' 20-18 loss at Seattle. Before Tuesday's move, Fisher had said Johnson would be out up to 12 weeks recovering from what he called "major reconstructive surgery.''
"We have not given up on him -- just the opposite of that,'' Fisher said after practice. "We are going to put him on injured reserve for the year.''
Johnson was at the Titans' headquarters after being waived and even talked to reporters in the locker room after practice about his plans to return better than ever.
The Titans replaced Johnson on the roster by signing Samkon Gado. Gado has played in 41 career games with 268 carries for 972 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has played for Green Bay, Houston, Miami and St. Louis most recently. Gado was on the field for Tuesday's practice.
