Stevie Johnson Out For the Season

The San Diego Chargers are trying to improve on their No. 9-ranked offense in the NFL last year. Offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt is back after the Tennessee Titans fired him. Quarterback Philip Rivers is at his best with Whisenhunt so that’s an improvement in itself.

They have the core back with receiver Keenan Allen tight end Antonio Gates while they try to get something out of 2015 first-round running back Melvin Gordon. The offensive line is back healthy now so Gordon figures to have a much better year than he had as a rookie.

But missing from that offense will be receiver Stevie Johnson, whose surgery to repair a torn meniscus will prevent Johnson from playing in 2016. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the procedure was successful, but will require a longer rehab than originally expected.

Johnson’s injury that led to have the surgery was in the early days of training camp. He was expected to operate as the primary slot receiver after he racked up 45 catches for 497 yards and three touchdowns in his first season with the Chargers last year.

The 30-year-old Johnson is due $3.5 million in 2017 so there is no guarantee that he’ll still be a Charger when the offseason comes. This situation makes one wonder if we’ll see Keenan Allen go into the slot more, especially on third down.

The good news is newly signed Travis Benjamin is developing chemistry with quarterback Philip Rivers. The way Benjamin played last year without a consistent quarterback in Cleveland makes him look like a good option to replace Johnson. So this won’t kill the passing game or take away an option for Rivers.