Receiver Charles Johnson eager to catch passes from Johnny Manziel, but he must first get healthy
By
Peter J. Wallner | pwallner@mlive.comThe Grand Rapids Press
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on May 17, 2014 at 9:30 AM, updated May 17, 2014 at 5:57 PM
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ALLENDALE, MI – Cleveland Browns receiver Charles Johnson hopes someday to catch passes in a game from quarterback Johnny Manziel. But, for now, he has to be patient and hope the Browns feel the same way.
The former Grand Valley State standout has not been cleared to practice following knee surgery at the end of October, shortly after the Browns plucked him off the Green Bay Packers practice squad
and found he had a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
“I’m doing everything I should be doing and I’m on schedule - it was just six months ago - but I have no idea yet when,” Johnson said of being cleared to practice.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Johnson, 25, drafted by the Packers in the seventh round in 2013, has been in Cleveland during conditioning and training since early April. He caught passes on the side when the Browns held their voluntary veteran minicamp April 29-May 1.
The Browns’ rookie mini-camp continues today and will be closed to the media with the first appearance of Manziel, who was the 22nd pick in the draft.
Johnson said Manziel on Friday appeared to be “a laid back guy.”
“He’s cool, he’s a regular guy,” Johnson said. “He’s always reading and studying and trying to learn the playbook like everyone else.”
He wasn’t concerned about Manziel or Brian Hoyer in the quarterback battle because he needs his health before he can compete.
“I have to be patient because I really don’t want to rush it and have something happen,” he said. “I’m fortunate to be here, and I know they got me for a reason, so I have to keep working toward that goal to be healthy again.”
The Browns have a new coach in Mike Pettine, who will have to sort through an interesting batch of receivers.
Originally, Josh Gordon was expected to be the main target, but he faces league suspension over a third positive drug test. The Browns did not draft a receiver, but on Friday signed veterans Miles Austin and Earl Bennett to join recent signees Andrew Hawkins and Nate Burleson.
There is also third-year receiver and return specialist Travis Benjamin who, like Johnson, is coming off knee surgery in October and also has not been cleared to practice.
Johnson, meanwhile, is part of a bevy of others without much NFL experience including Josh Cooper, Tori Gurley and Conner Vernon.
Johnson had 128 receptions and 31 touchdowns in two seasons with the Grand Valley State.
The Browns OTA schedule picks up again Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday next week, and then periodically through June 6.
They wrap up offseason work June 10-12 with a mandatory veteran mini-camp.
