Former USC running back Stafon Johnson waived by Titans

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Former USC running back Stafon Johnson was hoping to make his football comeback as an undrafted rookie with the Tennessee Titans this fall.

But the Titans waived Johnson on Tuesday, two days after he underwent surgery to repair the dislocated right ankle he sustained during Tennessee’s preseason opener Saturday.

[Updated at 2:33 p.m.: The Tennessean is reporting that Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said Johnson is still a part of the team’s long-term plans.

‘We have not given up on him. This is the opposite of that,’’ Fisher said. “We are going to put him on injured reserve for the year, so we can have him next year. In order to do that in training camp you have to release the player. He is subject to waivers, he can get claimed, but it is unlikely that anyone would claim someone that just had major reconstructive surgery on the ankle. So he comes back to us once he clears and goes on injured reserve for the year that was the intention.’]

The injury occurred less than a year after Johnson’s horrific weight-room accident last fall, when a 275-pound barbell fell on his throat, crushing his vocal cords and Adam’s apple and ending his senior season at USC.

With everything he’s been through, you’ve got to feel bad for the guy. Especially after reading some of his recent tweets:

-- Saturday pregame: ‘2day is the day that I have dreamed about 4 16yrs now 2night 7oclock espn...’

-- Sunday post-surgery: ‘Feelin good thank u jesus can’t wait 2 heal up and get back on the field as a Titan always a good feelin when u play 4 a great coach that believe in u and your capabilities’

-- also from Sunday night: ‘Maan I love my team Maan I love my team I would die for brothas’

Also on Tuesday, the Titans signed journeyman running back Samkon Gado.

-- Chuck Schilken