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The starting opportunity Landon Johnson thought might be available when he joined the Carolina Panthers nearly two years ago finally has arrived, albeit for reasons he wouldn't have chosen.
Johnson is set to take over at weakside linebacker for Thomas Davis, whose season ended last week when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
"You never want one of your teammates to get hurt, especially one of the guys you're closer with, and when he's having the season he was having," Johnson said Thursday.
"But it did happen. It's one of those things where you've got to make the most of any opportunity you get, so that's what I'm going to try to do."
The Panthers signed Johnson to a three-year contract in 2008, including a $3million signing bonus, after he'd spent four years as a starter in Cincinnati. He led the Bengals in tackles three times, including a career high of 143 in '07.
Johnson has been mostly a special teamer with the Panthers, starting one game at linebacker, recording 10 tackles in an Oct 25 loss to Buffalo when Davis was injured.
Pro Bowl potential
The consensus among the Panthers is Davis was on his way to a likely Pro Bowl appearance. He ranked second on the team with 21 tackles, was tied for first with two interceptions, and tied for fourth with four sacks.
"You see he can be a dominant player," middle linebacker Jon Beason said. "In my eyes and a lot of other people's eyes, he was the best outside linebacker in the first half of the season in the NFL. He was going to get the Pro Bowl recognition and that was important to him.
"I'll miss him not being there. We talk a lot between plays and in huddles. We compete against each other and have a lot of fun. That raises our level."
Injury updates
Running back DeAngelo Williams was back at practice on a limited basis after sitting out Wednesday with what coach John Fox described as a tweaked knee.
Williams ranks fifth in the NFL with 768 yards rushing. His backfield mate, Jonathan Stewart, practiced fully after sitting out Wednesday as he routinely does to rest his sore Achilles.
The Panthers were back at the Charlotte Sports Center for the second consecutive day because of rainy, windy conditions.
The only players who didn't participate because of injuries were fullback Brad Hoover and safety Charles Godfrey, who are still recovering from ankle injuries and aren't expected to play Sunday against Atlanta.
Defensive end Julius Peppers returned to full participation with a hand injury.
Also practicing fully: fullback Tony Fiammetta (concussion), wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad (knee), kicker John Kasay (groin) and tight end Dante Rosario (knee).
Extra tickets
The Falcons returned 300 tickets for Sunday's game. They're available ($51 each) at the Bank of America Stadium ticket office or via Ticketmaster.
