Jets' Chris Johnson Disputes Report That Knee Is Arthritic

Chris Johnson, signed by the Jets to provide the breakaway runner they lacked, denied Thursday that he had developed arthritis in his surgically repaired knee.

Johnson, in a conference call with reporters Thursday, laughed when told of the ESPN report. He then grew serious and replied, 'I am pretty sure if they had any concerns, I wouldn't have passed the physical.'

The Jets' medical staff cleared Johnson before he signed a two-year contract worth $8 million with another $1 million in incentives Wednesday. He underwent surgery in late January for a torn meniscus that he said had slowed him since the third week of last season.

He expressed confidence that he would be able to participate fully once training camp began.

'My knee is getting better and better every day,' he said. 'I'm pretty close to being ready for football activities.'

While denying he had developed arthritis, a chronic condition that would only worsen as hits accumulated, Johnson pointed to knee problems in explaining a drop in production in 2013.

'I know how I feel when I'm out there on the field,' he said. 'Some Sundays I didn't feel that great.'

Johnson, who turns 29 in September, earned the nickname CJ2K when he set an N.F.L. record by amassing 2,509 yards from scrimmage for the Tennessee Titans, including 2,009 rushing yards, in his second pro season in 2009. He ranks as one of six players to rush for at least 1,000 yards in each of his first six years.

But he provided only glimpses of his previous electrifying form last year in finishing with a career-low 3.9 yards per carry while rushing 279 times for 1,077 yards. Of perhaps greater concern, he did not produce a run longer than 30 yards, creating speculation that perhaps he is no longer the dynamic game-changing back he once was.

Johnson, who criticized the play-calling and blocking last season, said he intended to turn skepticism to his advantage.

'It's always great to have a chip on your shoulder, to have things that motivate you,' he said.

No matter how driven he may be, it appears unlikely that Johnson can regain the 4.24 speed in the 40-yard dash that he clocked at the N.F.L. scouting combine before Tennessee drafted him 24th over all out of East Carolina in 2008. He bore a heavy load during his six seasons with the Titans, carrying 1,742 times for 7,965 yards and 50 touchdowns.

Johnson expressed his displeasure when Tennessee signed Shonn Greene, a former Jet, to share carries with him last year. He avoided questions about how he fits in with the Jets, saying, 'I wanted to come into a situation where I can win.'

Although John Idzik, in his second year as general manager, made a headline-grabbing move with the signing of Johnson, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, the running game was not widely viewed as an area of need. The team developed a potent ground game last year in easing pressure on the rookie quarterback Geno Smith and finished sixth in the N.F.L. in averaging 134.9 yards a game.

Despite Chris Ivory's long history of injuries, he was the bruising runner the Jets expected him to be when they acquired him from the New Orleans Saints before last season, carrying 182 times for 833 yards. Bilal Powell closed with a career-high 697 yards.

Johnson can be a valuable asset in the passing game. He has 272 career receptions for 2,003 yards and 8 touchdowns. And few possess his game-changing ability if he is anywhere close to full speed.

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