Johnson (lower body) participated in contact battle drills with assistant coach Brad Lauer on Saturday, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson had an extended workout with Steven Stamkos (knee) after Saturday's morning skate. He appears to be inching closer to returning to game action for the first time since March 9. The Lightning certainly could use the firepower as they struggle to qualify for a playoff spot. When Johnson returns it likely means Greg McKegg is back in the press box as a healthy scratch.

Johnson (lower body) won't play Saturday against Montreal.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson returned to practice Thursday for the first time since sustaining his lower-body injury March 9, but he'll likely need to log several more full on-ice sessions before returning to the lineup. Greg McKegg will continue to draw into a bottom-six role while Johnson is in recovery mode.

Johnson (lower body) is "getting close" to a return to the lineup, but will not feature Thursday against Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

The American participated in Thursday's morning skate, his first time doing so since going down with the injury on March 9. While this development is certainly an encouraging sign for Johnson, there are only six games that he has a possibility of playing in following Thursday's contest. Look for the team to issue a further update on Johnson's status ahead of Saturday's matchup with Montreal.

Johnson (lower body) might not return by the end of the regular season, the Tampa Bay Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

"The injury has been tough for (Johnson), tough on all of us," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. "I hope he keeps progressing, but it's been slow so far." Unfortunately, fantasy owners in the thick of the playoffs probably don't have the patience to wait on a guy like Johnson, who reportedly isn't even skating on his own in rehab. To that end, it would be wise to do a full scan of your roster to see if there's anyone of lesser value to drop just in case Johnson makes a big leap in his recovery. If the season ended Saturday, the punchy pivot would finish with 19 goals, 25 assists -- including 17 man-advantage points -- over 64 games.

Johnson, who has been sidelined by a lower-body injury since Mar. 9, hasn't skated with the team since then, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The forward's return to the Tampa Bay lineup thus does not appear imminent as back-to-back tilts Thursday (at Boston) and Friday (at Detroit) approach.

At this stage, Johnson (lower body) is not projected to play Thursday against the Bruins, the Lightning's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson, who last suited up on March 9, remains in the day-to-day category for now and is thus a candidate to be officially ruled out in advance of Thursday's contest.

Johnson (lower body) has not resumed skating, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Considering he still hasn't gotten on the ice, it would be hard to imagine that Johnson will be ready to suit up in time for Arizona on Tuesday. The Lightning at 6-3-1 in their last 10 outings, but that includes a two-game losing streak. The continued absence of Johnson, who has racked up 19 goals and 25 helpers this season, may derail any chance the team had of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In order to make room for some minor-league call-ups, the 28-year-old could potentially be placed on injured reserve in the coming days.

Coach Jon Cooper indicated that Johnson (lower body) is not in line to play Saturday against the Capitals, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The same applies to both Vladislav Namestnikov and Cedric Paquette, with Johnson's next opportunity to return to action arriving Tuesday when Tampa Bay hosts Arizona.

Johnson (lower body) won't play Thursday against the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

The same applies to both Vladislav Namestnikov and Cedric Paquette. Johnson, who last suited up March 9, could potentially return to action Saturday against the Caps, though that's not a lock. To date, the 5-foot-8, 183-punder has logged 19 goals and 44 points in 64 games, to go along with 28 PIM and a minus-3 rating.

Johnson (lower body) could return to the lineup for Thursday's matchup with the Maple Leafs, but, per coach Jon Cooper, that would be the best case scenario, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Johnson will miss his third game in a row Tuesday and, judging by this very tentative status report, it's looking like he could miss a fourth Thursday. The American pivot had been experiencing moderate success before going down with the injury, netting three goals and adding eight assists in the 10 games prior.