Raiders CB Johnson eager to return

A few weeks back, Chris Johnson was on the verge of being placed on season-ending Injured Reserve after an infection in what was believed to be a sports hernia surgery set in.Now, the veteran cornerback is preparing to contribute in a game after dressing for, but not playing in, the Raiders' 25-20 defeat of Chicago on Sunday. It's a seeming rare bright spot for a team so ravaged by injury this season."He just wanted me to put the pads back on, just in case," Johnson said of coach Hue Jackson. "I was the emergency guy last week. I just went along with what coach wanted me to do."Johnson, who is officially listed with an injury to his groin and hamstring, has not appeared in a game since the Raiders beat the New York Jets on Sept. 25. In his place, the Raiders have started rookie DeMarcus Van Dyke and former Pro Bowler Lito Sheppard opposite Stanford Routt."I'm getting back in the mix this week," said Johnson, who has three passes defensed, a forced fumble and nine tackles in three games. One that got away, though, was an interception that would have sealed a victory for the Raiders at Buffalo in Week 2. Instead, the Bills rallied for the win."This is the second week I'm practicing, so I'm going to take what they give me," Johnson said. "I should be in full stride by next week."The Raiders play at Green Bay next week. The Packers drafted Johnson in the seventh round, No. 245 overall, out of Louisville. He never appeared in a game for Green Bay.