The Facts: Mike Nolan has been encouraged by the progress of Johnson, who missed all of last year with a torn plantar fascia muscle on the base of his foot. "He hasn't missed a day of the off-season program," Nolan said.

Diehards Line:According to Chronicle staffer Kevin Lynch, Johnson, who led the 49ers with 82 catches in 2004, could line up along with top pick Vernon Davis. The key for Johnson, who missed two of the last three seasons with injury, could be how he performs in the team's first mini-camp, which opens Friday.