National Football League

Johnson on leave following tragedy

Published Dec. 7, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Oakland Raiders cornerback Chris Johnson was not with the team Wednesday, having left to be with his family in Texas in the wake of a shooting that left his sister dead and his mother wounded.

The shooting occurred Monday when police allege 46-year-old Eugene Esters fatally shot his estranged girlfriend, 33-year-old Jennifer Johnson, in a Fort Worth, Texas, apartment complex, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.

Johnson's mother, Della Johnson, 53, was also wounded in the incident but was expected to survive, police said.

Esters was placed in Mansfield Jail with bail set at $750,000. He is facing charges of murder and attempted murder.

Raiders coach Hue Jackson said Wednesday he expected Johnson to be back with the team for Sunday's game against unbeaten Green Bay, CSN Bay Area reported.

"This is a game of football. The thing he's dealing with is a game of life," Jackson said.

"We'll get him back here pretty soon. Very, very tough situation that he's dealing with. But the organization supports him, I support him, he'll get back here and be ready to go."