Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans were according to the running back at the ESPYs , "at a standstill." This news came contrary to some reports that cast an optimistic light on the possible proceedings, but one thing was clear: Johnson wasn't coming to camp until he got more money.

Now, according to a report from PFT's Mike Florio , the two parties have reached a "new deal" that will allow the team to move past Johnson's current holdout.

A league source tells us that the Tennessee Titans and running back Chris Johnson have agreed to terms on a new contract that solves the financial problems between team and player.

Johnson -- barring a new deal becoming official -- is scheduled to make just $550,000 in 2010, a paltry sum for a player who most believe to be the best running back in the NFL.

Because of Johnson's talent -- and the Titans facing the second-toughest schedule in the NFL next season -- the notion that Tennessee wouldn't cave at least a little bit seems kind of silly.

But they're not falling into any sort of multi-year "trap" that might lock Johnson in for the $30-40 million guaranteed that he stated he wants , the Titans do appear, according to Florio's source, willing to get Johnson more money for next season. The likelihood is that the money will come via some form of shift in future escalators to get both parties what they want.

Check back here -- and follow us on Twitter -- for more details on the contract as they come to light.

Update (4:35): Adam Schefter tweets that the Titans are -- as expected -- moving up part of his $2.5 million escalator in order to get him paid and in camp.

That's obviously good news for both parties there, anyone who loves football and, lest we forget, fantasy football owners -- no need to avoid drafting him in that CBS Sports Fantasy Football league you were just waiting to fire up .

-- Will Brinson

Tennessee RB Chris Johnson and the Titans haven’t made much progress on contract talks, and if he doesn’t feel like he’s being fairly compensated, last year’s league-leading rusher indicated Wednesday he won’t be at training camp.

In quotes captured by the Tennessean , Johnson, in separate interview with ESPN’s Erin Andrews and Colleen Dominguez, didn’t sound optimistic.

“The contract negotiation, it’s at a standstill right now,” he told ESPN. “I’m just praying right now, hopefully by the time camp comes we’ll have something worked out. If it’s not a long-term deal, just have something to get me to play this year.

“It’s all up to Tennessee to be honest with you. Whenever they’re ready to get me into camp, they’ll do something. And when they do something, I’ll be proud to be there and get with my teammates.”

Johnson basically is saying that even if a long-term can’t be worked out, he wishes Tennessee would give him something extra to get him through to next season. If not, it doesn’t sound like Johnson will report to camp.

``It depends on the Titans,'' said Johnson, who will make a base of $550,000 in the fourth year of a six-year deal and then is scheduled to earn $800,000 in 2011 and $2.21 million in 2012 in his current deal. “If they pay me, I’m in camp. If they’re not, I’m not in camp.’’

--Josh Katzowitz

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter.

Yesterday we posted that Chris Johnson’s holdout in Tennessee could be coming to an end sooner than later. In a report by Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean, it sounds like any deal Johnson and the Titans agree to would be a short-term fix. Here’s what could shake out:

Under the terms of the five-year, $12 million contract he signed prior to his rookie season, Johnson has reached escalators in the deal that could pay him up to an additional $2.5 million in salary in 2012. The Titans could turn that money into a signing bonus in 2010, and combine it with his scheduled base salary of $550,000 for this fall.

Players earn escalators by reaching individual and team goals as part of a contract, and, unlike incentives that are paid out at the end of a season, they’re attached to future salaries. While such a move wouldn’t provide a big pay raise like Johnson wants, it would get him some additional funds now, with the hope of getting a long-term deal after next season.

The Titans haven’t been able to give Johnson the long-term deal he desires because of the uncapped year’s 30 percent rule. The Titans aren’t willing (or able) to pony up the necessary lump sum signing bonus that would be needed to make Johnson’s contract legal and satisfactory.

--Andy Benoit

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter

An NFL Network blog says, “The animosity between RB Chris Johnson and the Titans is beginning to thaw. (Mike) Lombardi believes a long-term deal will be done by the time training camp starts later this month.”

Johnson has been staging a very public holdout this offseason, protesting his $550,000 base salary for 2010. Johnson denied being seen working out at the Titan Baptist Sports Park facilities last week, though Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean says sources confirmed Johnson’s presence. (Most members of the Titans organization were on vacation at the time.)

--Andy Benoit

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter.

Strangely, there’s a bit of a controversy about whether Tennessee RB Chris Johnson – who didn’t participate with his teammates at all in the offseason – was spotted at the Titans complex this week.

Pro Football Talk, citing sources, said Johnson had worked out at Baptist Sports Park, Tennessee’s facility. Johnson, while recording a Ustream video (you’ll have to wade through about 11 1/2 minutes before he addresses the workouts in question), denied that, claimed he was in Florida and said he hadn’t been to Nashville since his youth football camp.

But Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean , citing sources, wrote Johnson, in fact, had been at the Titans complex.

Nothing earth-shattering, but it’s weird that Johnson would deny this if it’s true.

As an aside, somebody also asked Johnson if the Titans would win the Super Bowl this year. Johnson said, “You have to ask the people upstairs about that …” (Ah, obviously referring to the God in which he believes) … “in the Tennessee organization.” Wait. Say what? Strange.

--Josh Katzowitz

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter.

Even without his star RB Chris Johnson around because of a contract dispute, Titans coach Jeff Fisher said today the offensive backfield is “in good shape." Still, he didn’t rule out the possibility of adding a veteran running back to round out the unit. 

Though he declined to discuss his recent relationship with Johnson – who told ESPN Monday that he’d like to make $30-40 million in guaranteed money, as opposed to the $550,000 he’ll be paid this season – Fisher said that Javon Ringer has had a “real good offseason” (we detailed Ringer here Monday) while also praising Alvin Pearman and free agent rookies LeGarrette Blount and Stafon Johnson.

When asked if Johnson has fallen behind, Fisher basically said that was true. He hasn’t been conditioning with his teammates, and he hasn’t worked with new RB coach Kennedy Pola either. Not that it would take him much time to catch up and, theoretically, begin dominating the game again. But still, Fisher would like him around.

Told that Johnson wants to be paid at least $30 million, Fisher flashed a smile and said, “So would I.”

--Josh Katzowitz

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter.

If anybody is benefitting from Titans RB Chris Johnson’s continued absence from Tennessee’s offseason workouts, it’s got to be second-year RB Javon Ringer, who’s been receiving plenty of work without Johnson around. He seems to be leaving a positive impression.

"I think this has been really good for Javon," offensive coordinator Mike Heimderdinger told John Glennon of the Tennessean . "Javon had like his redshirt year (as a rookie). He carried the ball a lot of times in college. His running ability is really good.

"(But) this has been really good for him to learn the passing game, and if there’s one thing Javon was behind on last year, it was the passing game and protection. That took a little time and he didn’t have much background in that and what they did up there (at Michigan State). So this has been good for him to learn what we want from him and the protections and all that."

Ringer didn’t get much work last season behind Johnson – the two-time Pro Bowler who rushed for 2,006 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. Instead, Ringer played in seven games, rushing the ball eight times for 48 yards and not catching a pass.

Coming out of Michigan State, Ringer was a well-regarded prospect, though he measures a little short (he’s listed at 5-foot-9) and he was seen more as a change-of-pace back that could complement a more bruising teammate. He didn’t have a great Combine, which is probably why he fell into the fifth round of the Draft.

But he’s getting his chance now without Johnson around, and he seems to be impressing the Tennessee coaching staff. And since Lendale White isn't with the team any more, Ringer could slide right into position to be Johnson's backup.


--Josh Katzowitz

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter.

Chris Johnson is starting to get more vocal about his holdout. A day after saying he wasn’t mad at the Titans, the 2,000-yard rusher Tweeted:

“Just got off the phn w/ my agent & its not good news I’m feeling lk @Revis24 rt now at least dey offering him.” (Johnson is referring to Darrelle Revis’s contract squabble in New York).

Johnson also wrote, “Its like how do u expect ur players to give they all and not put their bodies on the line when you not willing to give them what they deserve. How do u want player 2 honor their contract but the team dot have to honor it. If u dont wnt 2 pay a player early dont cut a player early.’’

--Andy Benoit

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBSSportsNFL