On Tuesday, Georgia Tech safety Isaiah Johnson wore the blue practice jersey that healthy members of the defense wear in practice. It was the first time he wore it since tearing his ACL in December during bowl practice.
It was not, though, evidence that Johnson’s return is imminent. Johnson continued to stay out of contact drills in practice, much the same way he has been in recent weeks while wearing the gold jersey worn by players who are allowed to participate only in non-contact drills.
“Having that gold jersey on was just pretty much holding me back a little bit, so I think this blue jersey’s like a confidence booster,” Johnson said after practice.
Johnson has been cleared by doctors and is eager to play, but will not rush himself back to the field. He said he doesn’t want to return and play hesitantly. He also acknowledged that past Tech players whose NFL draft stock may have been hurt by playing through injuries is a factor in his caution.
“I’m taking (draft candidacy) into account, that I need to make sure that I’m all the way here before I step back out there on the field,” he said.
Johnson is a two-year starter and a valuable member of the Tech defense. His play improved considerably in the second half of last season before the injury. Jamal Golden started at free safety in the season opener.
In addition to his ACL, Johnson said he also tore his lateral collateral ligament and posterior collateral ligament and suffered a partial tear of his meniscus (“I got all the good stuff,” he joked) during bowl practice in December. About nine months have elapsed. Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was hailed last year for his swift recovery from an ACL tear in about 8 1/2 months. Other elite athletes often require a year to return from an ACL tear.
Johnson, a senior, wouldn’t rule out not playing this season and taking a redshirt. Having played as a freshman, Johnson can sit out a season. He said he’ll come back when the knee feels consistent.
“I have plenty of days where it feels great,” he said. “Some days, I have those days when I feel it, and I know it can be better. I know it’s not going to be perfect, but I know it can be better.”
Coaches are letting him proceed at his own pace.
“I can’t tell him that you’re right,” coach Paul Johnson said. “He knows his body and he knows when he’s ready, and I’m not going to push a young man who’s coming off that and say, ‘Hey, go ahead, go ahead.’ … I don’t doubt that he wants to play, so he’ll let us know when he’s ready.”
Said defensive coordinator Ted Roof, who also coaches the safeties, “I have complete trust in him. He’s going to make a good decision because nobody wants to get back any worse than he does. And we sure could use him.”
