SAN FRANCISCO -- Wide receiver Jaymar Johnson was getting regular reps with the Vikings' first team in training camp due to the absence of Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice and it appeared he had an excellent shot to make the 53-man roster.

But then Johnson suffered a broken left thumb in the Vikings' preseason opener last Saturday night in St. Louis. Johnson was waived/injured by the Vikings and once he cleared waivers the team placed him on season-ending injured reserve.

The reality is that Johnson's injury will sideline him for six-to-eight weeks so he will be ready to go long before the season is finished. However, he won't be able to play.

Johnson, who spent the 2008 season on the Vikings' practice squad after being a sixth-round pick, played in six games last season and caught one pass. He averaged 8.4 yards on 16 punt returns.