Andre

Johnson

The Texans receiver is a top five fantasy wideout right now and will start this weekend. He’s listed as probable for week six.

It was bound to happen. But all that safety help is hurting A.J.'s big-play ability. That said, Johnson is a young star who can adjust. This week, versus the terrible Green Bay secondary, is a good time to start.

This isn’t something Oakland usually does with its top corner, and A.J. goes in motion often to offset shadow and double coverage. Asomugha held Johnson to just one catch in their last meeting, but that was under a different coaching staff. Tom Cable’s group has kept Asomugha stationed at RCB only. Johnson owners shouldn’t be too concerned.

We disagree because the Raiders are not close to playoff contention, and shouldn’t be looking to surrender draft picks for 33-year-olds. But Gutierrez notes Johnson’s history with Matt Schaub, the Raiders’ need for a No. 1 receiver, and nearly $11 million in salary cap room. It’s still difficult to imagine Johnson signing off on a trade to arguably the NFL’s worst team. Vegas has Oakland tied with Jacksonville for the lowest win projection (4.5) in the league this season.

As Rotoworld’s Evan Silva points out, Jacoby Jones filled in as the LWR, with Kevin Walter as the RWR, back in 2007 when LWR Andre Johnson missed time. Asomugha usually matches up against the left wide receiver. For what it’s worth, Raiders coach Tom Cable has “no doubt in his mind” that Johnson will play for Houston this week.

Johnson, Houston’s all-time receiving leader and the only member of the team’s ring of honor, will work under coach Bill O’Brien and GM Brian Gaine. Per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, he’ll have “a lot of responsibilities” and will be involved in learning the intricacies of both scouting and personnel. Former Texans Brian Cushing, Akeem Dent and T.J. Yates will join Johnson on Houston’s coaching staff this upcoming season.

Johnson seemed to like having WR Eric Moulds taking some of the defensive pressure off him, catching a 44-yard pass along with a bunch of shorter throws.

Johnson made a spectacular over the shoulder grab against Vontae Davis for a 43-yard gain. Once Davis left with a hamstring injury, Johnson burned Nolan Carroll for a 23-yard TD on a pump fake from Matt Schaub. Johnson would have added another 40-yard score over Carroll, but he couldn’t reel in an outside shoulder throw. Johnson will see plenty of Jabari Greer as a WR1 next week in New Orleans.

Johnson has at least 93 yards in each of Houston’s first three games. Dominant over the middle and deep down the field Sunday, Johnson had 104 yards by the midway point in the first half. The Saints then took steps to slow Johnson down, and Houston’s entire offense sputtered in the final two quarters. Johnson will continue to be an elite WR1 play in Week 4 against Pittsburgh.

Johnson was officially limited in his return, but he will be fine for Sunday’s game against the Steelers. He figures to be shadowed by Ike Taylor, though it’s far from a prohibitive matchup.