CFL.ca Staff

EDMONTON -- He has three catches for 89 yards and a touchdown and just over two games of work under his belt this season.

He has also spent the better part of the last 10 weeks recovering from a broken forearm.

But despite all that, BC Lions receiver Kierrie Johnson still believes his 2012 campaign has all the makings to be a breakout one.

“When I came into the season, I wanted to be one of the top receivers on the team,” said Johnson to BCLions.com.

“Even though I broke my arm in the third game of the season, I’m still coming back with the same mindset and motivation – I’m even hungrier now because it’s been so long since I last played,” he added.

With just seven games remaining in the season, Johnson has plenty of catching up to do if he intends on staying true to his words.

However, there’s no reason to believe the 5-foot-10, 175-pound receiver can’t do it.
While his career numbers aren’t anything to write home about, Johnson has developed a proficiency in coming up with the big grab when it’s needed most, evidence of which can be seen in his two career touchdowns.

His first career major score arrived in the late stages of the third quarter in the 99th Grey Cup, a 66-yard reception that saw him breeze by one of the league’s best defensive backs in Jonathan Hefney.

His second occurred on the same play that sidelined him for almost three months, a 69-yard catch-and-run score that ultimately ended with him landing awkwardly on his arm, which he broke the process.

His big-play ability is what many believed would lead him to greatness this season – something that he still believes is quite possible.

“I’ll be the same person,” the 24-year-old said when asked whether or not fans can expect to see the same player they witnessed prior to the injury.

“I’m as lean as I was in Week 3, and my first catch might be a touchdown,” he added confidently.

On the sidelines, Lions Head Coach Mike Benevides is looking forward to seeing how Johnson’s return will impact the rest of his offence.

“It’s really exciting; he’s a good week of preparation. You saw last week he was feeling better and was becoming acclimated with our offence,” said Benevides.

“You see him play with a lot of enthusiasm, you see his abilities and you see how the synergy with him and Travis (Lulay) came back in line. So we’ll really give him an opportunity and really try to expose him to things he does well,” he added.