Calvin Johnson was beset by injuries during a tough 2009 season. (Greg Trott / Associated Press)

It’s difficult to blame Calvin Johnson for wanting to get past 2009. He battled through knee injuries. His numbers fell across the board. His Lions won only two games.

Johnson admitted in a piece by Tim Twentyman of The Detroit News that the losing got to him.

“Losing always gets to you,” he said Thursday at the Lions’ practice facility. “If you are a competitor, you hate losing. But you have to know it’s part of the game. The big thing for me this year is to stay healthy so I can be out there every Sunday so I can help.”

That’s really to be expected. But what really catches your eye is when Johnson claims he saw single coverage in less than 10 percent of his snaps last season. That’s not a lot of snaps. Which is why Johnson said he was ecstatic about the arrival of Nate Burleson from the Seahawks.

“I think he can be a big factor,” Johnson said. “Nate has some speed. He has great run after the catch. I look forward to seeing him get the ball so he can make some moves and get down the field.”

The Lions are conducting their offseason conditioning program this week, so there will be more from Detroit, including official visits — LT Russell Okung was there earlier this week, DT Gerald McCoy was scheduled to arrive Wednesday night, and DT Ndamukong Suh is in for a two-day visit starting Thursday.

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