The Minnesota Vikings’ defensive lineman is reportedly back to preparing for the 2017 season at a normal rate.
When defensive tackle Tom Johnson had his 2016 season cut short after tearing his hamstring in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts, it was the latest in a laundry list of players the Minnesota Vikings had lost last year due to injury.
At 32-years-old, some were unsure how quickly Johnson would be able to heal from this type of injury. However, the defensive tackle’s hamstring is already fully healed according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press on Monday.
Adrian Peterson trainer James Cooper also trains #Vikings DT Tom Johnson He said he's fully recovered from torn hamstring/doing regular work
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) April 24, 2017
This is not only good news for Johnson, but for the Vikings as well. With Sharrif Floyd’s uncertain future, Minnesota can use all the help it can get on its interior defensive line for next season.
Although, Johnson did have his least productive year in 2016 since he joined the Vikings three years ago. After racking up a total of 12 sacks and 58 tackles in his first two seasons with Minnesota, Johnson finished last year with just two sacks an 17 tackles.
Next: Vikings face a tough end to 2017 schedule
Due to Floyd missing most of last season, Johnson did have to spend a bit more time on the field than he did in his two previous years. If the Vikings opt to select a defensive tackle in this year’s draft (which they should), Johnson could go back to more of the reserve role that he excelled in whether Floyd returns to the team or not.