Chris

Johnson

The 2003 seventh-round pick hasn’t played full-contact football in over a year. He injured his patella-tendon in his knee last year, then fractured the same leg this offseason.

The 33-year-old finished last season on the reserve/non-football injury list following the shooting death of his sister by her estranged boyfriend. He’s been out of football ever since. Johnson will add depth with Jimmy Smith nursing a groin injury.

The Raiders tried the same tactic at this time last year, but were unable to consumate a trade. CB Nnamdi Asomugha is the Raiders’ most talented player, but his massive contract will make him hard to move. RB Michael Bush, who is a free agent at the end of the season and will make only $550,000 in 2010, is a prime trade candidate. ESPN’s Adam Schefter mentioned lesser lights such as CB Chris Johnson and LB Thomas Howard as the most likely to be dealt.

He was replaced by rookie Chimdi Chekwa, and did not return. The Raiders are extremely thin in their secondary with CB DeMarcus Van Dyke inactive and FS Michael Huff sidelined with a head injury.

The sister was reportedly shot “several times” after an argument over a child in Dallas. The accused, Eugene Esters, also shot 53-year-old Della Johnson, but she is expected to survive. Esters was arrested at the scene and booked both on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Raiders coach Hue Jackson says he expects Johnson to return to the team for Sunday’s game.

“We want to have competition everywhere that it’s possible to have it,” Cable said. “There’s a pretty good battle right there.” Johnson is the favorite to win the job.

Johnson was always favored to win the job, but was getting pushed by Stanford Routt. Routt was burned repeatedly Thursday night and seems to have fallen way behind Johnson.