CALEDONIA, Minn. -- Charles Johnson entered the 2015 season as the Minnesota Vikings' starting split end, with designs for a breakout year after a promising finish to the 2014 season. And for a few fleeting minutes, Johnson thought the rib injury that wound up defining his season would pass without much trouble.
Johnson injured one of his lower ribs on Sept. 27 against San Diego, while working back for an underthrown Teddy Bridgewater pass that the Chargers' Steve Williams intercepted in the end zone. The receiver jogged to the sideline following the turnover, and re-entered the game for the Vikings' next offensive series.