Backup Brad Johnson Delivers for Vikings

Brad Johnson was as bad as he could be in the final exhibition game, raising concerns about what the Minnesota Vikings would do without Warren Moon.

They found out Sunday, when Johnson was as good as he had to be.

Playing the entire second half after Moon went out because of ankle injuries, Johnson threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Cris Carter with 1:06 remaining as the Vikings rallied for a 17-13 victory over the Detroit Lions.

It was the first regular-season touchdown pass of Johnson’s five-year career.

“They say it’s better to have a moment in the sunlight than a lifetime in the shade,” Johnson said. “Today was my moment in the sunlight.”

Johnson wasn’t spectacular, and he didn’t need to be, with the Lions repeatedly making costly mistakes. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 157 yards in about two quarters.

In the Vikings’ 16-13 exhibition loss at New Orleans Aug. 23, Johnson threw four interceptions.

“I had four bonehead plays against the Saints, and it was kind of a tough week having to go through a game like that,” Johnson said. “But as a quarterback, you never know when you’re going to go out there.”

Moon first injured an ankle on the third play of the game but continued to play. But after injuring the other ankle when hit by Kerwin Waldroup with 1:12 left in the first half, he had to be helped off the field.

X-rays on Moon’s ankles were negative, but his status for next week’s game at Atlanta wasn’t immediately known.

Moon, who will turn 40 on Nov. 18, was having a poor game before he left. He was five for 14 for 57 yards and had led the offense to only three first downs. Fans were beginning to boo, and some cheered after Moon was helped off and Johnson trotted on.

Viking linebacker Jeff Brady had two interceptions, the second stopping a Detroit drive at the Minnesota 15 with 20 seconds left.

For Detroit, Barry Sanders gained 163 yards in 24 carries, but four interceptions by quarterback Scott Mitchell hurt the Lions.