No. 3 receiver back with Huskies

SEATTLE – James Johnson stood on the Husky Stadium sideline 10 days ago as Washington lost to Nebraska, frustration building with every pass that went awry.

“It hurts my heart as a competitor and teammate to see my guys out there battling and knowing that I can’t do anything to help them,” Johnson said.

That shouldn’t be a problem Saturday as UW opens its Pac-10 schedule against USC in Los Angeles. Johnson, a sophomore receiver, is expected to return from a sprained ankle.

And when he does, he’ll make UW’s receiving corps whole for the first time this season.

Johnson was Washington’s third-leading receiver a year ago. His 39 receptions made him the perfect complement to Jermaine Kearse and Devin Aguilar.

That trio’s return had many calling UW’s receivers possibly the best in the Pac-10 entering the season.

But without Johnson and tight end Kavario Middleton, the Huskies have been without two of their top four receivers from last season. Middleton, who was fourth with 26 catches in 2009, was kicked off the team over the summer for violating team rules.

Coach Steve Sarkisian said their absence isn’t an excuse for the disastrous showing against Nebraska.

“Our passing game took a hit because we went up against a really good pass defense,” he said.

But the loss of Johnson is hard to ignore. Statistically no one else has filled the third-receiver spot. Kearse (16) and Aguilar (13) are the only receivers with more than three catches.

One needs only to recall UW’s game against USC a year ago to appreciate Johnson’s value.

Many remember the two catches by Kearse that set up the Huskies’ winning field goal. Before that, though, Johnson was UW’s best receiver that day. He led all players with seven catches, making key receptions in three of four scoring drives.

“He made a lot of big plays for us last year,” said quarterback Jake Locker.

Johnson showed up to camp weighing 203 pounds, 18 more than a year ago. He figured the added muscle would help him survive the pounding of a full season. He had 35 catches in UW’s first eight games last year before wearing down in later games.

Johnson, whose only action this year was mop-up duty against Syracuse, thinks it will make a big difference.

“I’m much more physical at the line of scrimmage,” he said. “They (defensive backs) look at me and think, ‘Wow, this guy is pretty big. This is a big dude.’ ”

Johnson heard his ankle pop on the first two-a-day practice of camp while blocking.

X-rays showed that he had “really stretched ligaments,” but he was told that a bad sprain can be worse than a break.

He was able to resume running straight ahead at full speed fairly quickly, but cutting proved troublesome. The week or two of recovery time that he hoped for came and went.

“When you are playing receiver and you are limping and running and trying to get off bump-and-run coverage, it can be challenging,” Sarkisian said.

Johnson pronounced himself at about 90 percent late last week. He seems ready to return for a game he has had circled for some time. He grew up in a suburb of San Diego and will have lots of family at the game.

“I’m really excited to go back home,” he said.