2004: Johnson became a reliable pass-catcher and lead blocker at the fullback position during the 2004 regular season, playing in 14 games (3 starts). Statistically, his biggest contributions came as a pass catcher who tallied nine receptions for 126 yards (14.0 avg.) with two touchdowns. He also was a solid contributor on special teams, making nine tackles on kickoff and punt coverage to rank fourth on the Broncos. He missed the Broncos’ final two regular-season games, vs. Ind. (1/2) and at Tenn. (12/25), with a right ankle injury. At K.C. (12/19), the fullback was forced out in the second quarter with a right ankle injury and did not start because Denver opened the game in a two tight-end set. He hauled in a Jake Plummer pass along the sideline and used a nifty move to gain 14 yards on the Broncos’ first touchdown drive vs. Mia. (12/12), and he finished the game with two receptions for 22 yards (11.0 avg.) along with two special teams tackles. Johnson started at S.D. (12/5) and played extensively against the Chargers but did not record an offensive statistic. Johnson hauled in two second-quarter passes to record eight yards (4.0 avg.) receiving vs. Oak. (11/28), and he added a stop on special teams. In his second career start at N.O. (11/21), he used his speed to turn a short catch into a 19-yard score early in the fourth quarter. He also served as a lead blocker for Reuben Droughns, helping the back gain 166 yards. Johnson had a career day vs. Hou. (11/7), setting personal bests with three receptions for 46 yards (15.3 avg.), including a 23-yard touchdown reception for his first career score. Johnson did most of the work on his third-quarter touchdown catch against the Texans as he broke several tackles along the Texans sideline to scamper into the end zone. He also displayed his toughness after a 5-yard fourth-quarter reception by withstanding a big hit from Houston cornerback Dunta Robinson, who was shaken up as a result of the collision. On special teams against the Texans, Johnson made two tackles. Because Denver opened up in a two-tight end set vs. Atl. (10/31), he did not start against the Falcons but did play extensively at fullback and on special teams. Johnson recorded his first career start at Cin. (10/25) on Monday Night Football and was involved in Denver’s special teams effort, tackling Bengals return man Kenny Watson on a third-quarter kickoff. He played special teams only at Oak. (10/17). With Reuben Droughns starting at running back vs. Car. (10/10), Johnson replaced Droughns as the team’s primary fullback against the Panthers but did not start because Denver opened the game in a three-wide receiver set, and he helped block for Droughns as he recorded the ninth-highest single-game rushing total (193 yds.) in franchise history. He made a 31-yard catch, the first of his career, on a quick pass from Jake Plummer over the middle in the first quarter that moved the Broncos into Carolina territory on their drive that resulted in their second field goal of the game. Johnson briefly played at fullback at T.B. (10/3), including an appearance on the Broncos’ fourth-quarter scoring drive that set up Denver’s field goal that proved to be the game winner. Additionally, he made his first career tackle on special teams against the Buccaneers. He saw one play at fullback and played substantially on special teams vs. S.D. (9/26). At Jac. (9/19), Johnson played on special teams only. He saw most of his