Johnson (chest) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson followed up Wednesday's absence from practice with some activity one day later, signifying progress through his current chest issue. He has one more session Friday to prove his health before the Saints potentially tag him with a designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Falcons. If do-it-all running back Alvin Kamara (ankle) sits out this weekend, an active Johnson could benefit from the trickle-down effect of the former's 6.6 targets per game being freed up.

Johnson was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice due to a chest injury.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson sat out Weeks 4-7 due to a calf issue and has dealt with quad and shoulder concerns for about the last month. Despite the recent injuries, he's suited up in all six games since the Saints' Week 11 bye, recording a 20-231-3 line on 34 targets during that span. It's unclear if the current injury is threatening his availability for Sunday's contest against the Falcons, but his activity level, or lack thereof, in the coming days could be telling for his Week 18 status.

Johnson brought in eight of 12 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' 23-13 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson was the surprise leader in receptions, receiving yards and targets for the Saints, posting season bests across all three categories. The fourth-year pro has now scored in three straight contests as well, and he could play a key role again in a Week 18 divisional clash against a Falcons team that's given up plenty of production to tight ends all season.

Johnson (shoulder) has returned to Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson had been forced out of the contest with a shoulder issue, but the tight end will resume action and look to build off the 3/19/1 receiving line he had logged prior to his exit.

Johnson was forced out of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers with a shoulder injury, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to his departure from the contest, Johnson caught all three of his targets for 19 yards and a TD. In his absence, Taysom Hill, Foster Moreau and Jimmy Graham are available to handle the Saints' tight end reps.

Johnson secured four of seven targets for 48 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' 30-22 loss to the Rams on Thursday night.

EDGE Analysis

The talented tight end was third in receptions, receiving yards and targets for the Saints, and the latter two figures set and tied a season high, respectively. Johnson's catch total was his highest since Week 12 as well, and he scored for the second time in four days on a five-yard touchdown grab just past the midway point of the fourth quarter. Johnson next takes aim at a Buccaneers defense that's been vulnerable to tight ends all season when the Saints square off with their division rival in a Week 17 road matchup on New Year's Eve.

Johnson gathered in both of his targets for 38 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 24-6 victory versus the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson caught a wide open 23-yard touchdown pass up the seam to cap off the Saints' opening drive of the second half. This was the 6-foot-4 tight end's second touchdown of the year, and he also recorded his second-most receiving yards of any game this season Sunday. The 27-year-old continued to operate in a balanced rotation at tight end, tying with 37-year-old Jimmy Graham in both targets and receptions while Foster Moreau paced the unit with three catches on five targets. This group has taken on a bigger role in the offense of late while wideout Michael Thomas (knee) has been on IR, and this was somewhat exacerbated with Chris Olave (ankle) inactive Sunday. However, across 10 games this season, Johnson has now recorded just 22 catches (on 37 targets) for 190 yards and two touchdowns. His overall production will likely remain limited so long as the Saints continue to roll out multiple pass-catching tight ends moving forward.

Johnson gathered in both of his targets for 10 yards during Sunday's 28-6 victory against the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson caught two passes in the first half after logging three limited practices during Week 14 prep. The 27-year-old wound up playing a season-low 40 percent of New Orleans' offensive snaps, though it's unclear if this was due to his lingering quad issue or if he was just overtaken by Foster Moreau, as the latter played 63 percent of offensive snaps and was listed as the team's starting tight end Sunday. These two along with veteran tight end Jimmy Graham combined for just six catches on as many targets despite the absence of Taysom Hill (foot), and Graham logged the unit's lone receiving touchdown. Across nine appearances this season, Johnson has now recorded 20 receptions (on 34 targets) for 152 yards and one touchdown. His lackluster production this season, and especially over the last few weeks, leaves little confidence for his value heading into Week 15 versus the Giants.

Johnson (quadriceps) is listed as active Sunday against the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

A quadriceps injury capped Johnson to limited sessions during the entirety of Week 14 prep, but it won't stop him from being available to the Saints offense Sunday. With WR Rashid Shaheed (thigh) and TE Taysom Hill (foot/hand) inactive, Johnson could play a bigger role than usual behind the team's top pass catcher Chris Olave (illness). On the season, Johnson boasts a modest 18-142-1 line on 32 targets in eight appearances.

Johnson (quad) is expected to play in Sunday's Week 14 game against Carolina, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson was limited to a trio of limited practices this week due to a quad issue, but it looks like he'll be able to take the field Sunday. That should help soften the blow of the likely absence of Taysom Hill, who is expected to sit out due to a foot injury. Johnson hasn't been much of a contributor when healthy this season, surpassing 40 receiving yards just once over his eight games.