Tania Ganguli, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Andre Johnson made sure to be smart with his return from a concussion

HOUSTON -- The hit Andre Johnson took two weeks ago against the Jacksonville Jaguars was scary to watch. It was perhaps scarier to others than it was to him. On Thursday, during locker room availability, Johnson offered this glimpse into what that and the last week was like.

Was it tough to miss last week's game?

Johnson: Yeah, it was tough. You always want to be out there, playing with your teammates. It's hard to sit there and watch it. It's unfortunate what I had to go through. I'm fine now and I'll be out there Sunday.

Was it scary?

Johnson: It wasn't scary. I think it was more scary for other people than it was for me. ... Everybody else who saw it said it was a scary moment for them. I watched the play. Even after it happened, I didn't feel nervous or anything. It's a part of football. It happens. I've seen it happen several times. Just have to move on from it.

Did you lose consciousness?

Johnson: I thought I did. I felt like I blanked out for a moment. [Texans center] Chris Myers told me my eyes were still open. I don't know. I felt my body and stuff, my arms and stuff tense up. I remember everything.

Have you spoken with Telvin Smith, the player who delivered the hit?

Johnson: I haven't talked to him. I don't think that was something that was intentionally done. It's part of the game. It happens. It was a bang-bang play. We get to play them next week. I don't expect an apology from it. After I got up off the ground, I remember some of the players coming to me, saying 'Get better.' I don't think it was nothing intentional.

Was your family freaking out?

Johnson: Of course. Your family members and friends. It wasn't scary. You  just don't, I wouldn't say I want to experience it again. You've been around this game for a long time. You've seen it happen. I think maybe if I was carried off on the stretcher, that would've been the scary part.

When did you feel right?

Johnson: I felt fine once I got up and walked off and went to the sideline. I felt fine.

What were your symptoms last week?

Johnson: Just headaches.

Do you think more now about the impact concussions can have?

Johnson: I mean, I think the biggest part is just being smart about the situation. That's why  I didn't play last week; I was cleared to play. I think it's more about just being smart about the situation. You have to communicate how you feel. That's pretty much it.

Is part of being smart thinking about your future?

Johnson: Nah, I think being smart is you're knocked out. Being smart is knowing that, not just going out there just because you want to go out there. You need to be feeling like yourself. Being aware and make sure your memory and everything is back to where it was. That's the being smart part.

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