CORTLAND, NY -- That Chris Johnson could be a major piece of the New York Jets offense was evident even in the team's first training camp practice at SUNY College of Cortland.

Johnson got plenty of reps a day after being cleared by team doctors; the running back had knee surgery after his last season with the Tennessee Titans. The 5-foot-11, 203-pound back looked light on his feet, and fast.

"I haven't really went 100 percent with the team since I have been here so being able to go out there and run and do all the team periods felt good," Johnson said.

Some of his reps on Thursday weren't rushing plays, but the team also lined Johnson up wide and had him catch passes.

"It's not really new to me," Johnson said. "From college to the pros I've been doing some of those things so it's not really new."

Last year, the Jets used Bilal Powell in that role, and before that LaDanian Tomlinson was a reliable receiver. Johnson however is a little bigger, and could present a challenge for defenses if he stays in the role according to wide receiver David Nelson.

"When they see CJ in the flat they're going to have to jump to that," Nelson said. "When they do that, it opens up a lot of space in the middle of the field. If they don't he's going to take it to the house. It opens up a whole different dimension for us especially in the passing game."

Still, it's early. Aside from one fumble on a run, Johnson seemed right at home.

The Jets won't be in pads until this weekend, so Johnson and the Jets will have a better sense of his physical condition and how the knee is withstanding the contact. But in the meantime, he said he feels good.

"I felt good," Johnson said. "I felt no pain or anything like that."