KANSAS CITY, KAN. ? It’s been a long and often painful trek for Larry Johnson, Kansas City’s controversial second-year running back.

But here he is, ready to make his first NFL start Sunday against Denver. It’s something no one can say he hasn’t earned.

Coming off the bench the past two games, Johnson had two 100-yard rushing outings. His touchdowns runs of 46 and 41 yards against Tennessee on Monday night marked the first time in Chiefs history a back had scored on two runs of 40 yards or more in one game.

“I don’t think starting has really hit me yet until I actually get there and be the first one out there,” Johnson said Thursday in an interview with several media members that was posted on the Chiefs’ Web site. “I don’t think it’s going to hit me until game time.”

Johnson’s run-ins with coach Dick Vermeil are well known. Earlier this year Vermeil said it was time for Johnson to “take the diapers off,” then later apologized. Another time, Johnson lashed out at Vermeil, saying that Vermeil didn’t even want to draft him.

It probably was true. Vermeil had said he wanted to go for defensive help.

But with two 100-yard games in the bank and Johnson’s first start coming up, most of the problems seem to be in the past.

“He’s got a smile on his face. He’s getting the repetitions in practice, and he’s working hard,” Vermeil said Thursday. “He’s having fun. He feels good about himself. It’s a great mood swing. It was going to happen sooner or later. He had to struggle going through the process and now maybe it’s worthwhile.”

Johnson did not even suit up the first several games, working third team behind Priest Holmes and Derrick Blaylock. But Holmes went out with a season-ending knee injury on Nov. 7, and Johnson began getting more time as Blaylock got banged up.