Juwan Johnson spotted at Saints training camp practice on Friday

This is good to see. Juwan Johnson was spotted at New Orleans Saints training camp on Friday, out of a walking boot and catching passes from a JUGS machine. The team’s starting tight end underwent foot surgery in mid-June after developing a stress fracture throughout minicamp. So this was a big development for him, even if he’s still on the PUP list.

Johnson worked with a member of the training staff before and after team drills got started. He was wearing a helmet for probably the first time in more than a month and, for now, was just looking to knock off the rust. He had been wearing a protective medical boot on his surgically-repaired foot in recent public appearances but on Friday he was dressed out in cleats like everyone else.

How long is his road to recovery? This type of surgery can take four to twelve weeks to receive a clean bill of health, depending on where the stress fracture occurred and how severe the damage was. So it’s a good sign if Johnson is already putting in light work under team supervision. His target date to return has always been Week 1’s kickoff game with the Carolina Panthers (on Sept. 8) so he’s at least on track for that. We’ll see if he’s able to return sooner.

In the meantime, Foster Moreau has gotten more opportunities to run routes and catch passes while working with Derek Carr on the first-team offense, just as he did when they were both with the Las Vegas Raiders. But two other tight ends have emerged as intriguing depth options. Dallin Holker built up some momentum when the Saints invested a lot in him as an undrafted rookie. And Michael Jacobson has continued to make plays after spending most of last season on the team’s practice squad. If they both keep it up, the Saints might have to carry four tight ends this year instead of the usual three.