MANKATO, Minn. -- Since the Minnesota Vikings signed Charles Johnson off the Cleveland Browns' practice squad in Sept. 2014, his career arc has, at times, carried a risk of whiplash for those following it.

Used sparingly before the Vikings' bye week in 2014, he wrested a starting job from Cordarrelle Patterson and posted 328 yards in six games after it. He entered the 2015 season as the Vikings' starting split end and a trendy pick for a breakout season. But after Johnson fractured a rib in Week 3 while trying to work back to a pass that wound up being intercepted, rookie Stefon Diggs took the job and never gave it back. It took six weeks before Johnson's rib felt back to normal, and he wound up catching just nine passes as a little-used member of the Vikings' offense.

Charles Johnson, right, appeared to be the forgotten man in Minnesota's offense last season, but he's getting reps with the first team in training camp. Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire

But here we are in 2016, and it looks like things could change again. The Vikings are moving Diggs around their offense, opening up opportunities for Johnson with the first-team offense in training camp. And with the team still taking it slow with first-round pick Laquon Treadwell, Johnson is making his case for a larger role.

"He’s had a really good offseason, and he looks ready to go," offensive coordinator Norv Turner said. "He is really running his routes well right now and catching the ball. It’s a long process as we go through, and we are going to need all those guys."

The eventual composition of the Vikings' receiver group could look different than what the team has used during the first week of training camp. Adam Thielen is fashioning another strong camp on the practice fields of his alma mater, and the Vikings have used him in some three-receiver sets with their top offensive group. Jarius Wright, who signed a four-year contract extension last September, figures to be heavily involved. And Patterson will try to make the case he's improved after two disappointing seasons, once he returns from a shoulder injury.

Johnson, though, seemed to click with Teddy Bridgewater in 2014, and at 6-foot-2, he's one of the rangier receivers on the Vikings' roster. He's been a prominent piece of the Vikings' receiver group before, and there's a chance he could be again.

"Charles has got a very good catch radius. Obviously two years ago, when he played in the second half of the season, he made big plays," Turner said. "He’s a competitive receiver. He’s fast. He does a lot of things well."