"Were this any other Texans season, Andre Johnson would think it was a lost season, one to be quickly swept under the rug.

Hamstring injuries in both legs have made 2011 Johnson's least productive year in the NFL. He'll be making just his seventh start — yes, barring anything unexpected happening between now and noon Sunday, he will start — against Tennessee, and he'll need to catch nine balls just to reach 40. That still would be 20 fewer receptions than he had in any of his eight previous seasons.

But Johnson, the Texans' highest-profile and most decorated player since he arrived as the team's No. 1 draft choice in 2003, is at least receiving a second chance, a do-over. Because the young franchise finally has nailed down a spot in the postseason, there's plenty left for him to accomplish.

"After everything I've been through, all the frustrating times, I still get a chance to go out and play and help the organization go places that it's never been before," Johnson said. "I just have to make sure I'm at the top of my game."

Not necessarily by Sunday but by the following weekend, when Johnson, 30, makes his playoff debut at Reliant Stadium. The Titans game is about fine-tuning."