Eade says Johnson will return from the latest setback, which will sideline him for the next three weeks, and will not be forced to retire like former teammate Scott West.
The 33-year-old, whose season has been hindered by injury and illness, has already missed five games in 2010.
"Brad can play games. What we're concerned about is the continuity to be able to play four or five in a row," Eade said from Whitten Oval on Tuesday.
"He'll be able to play again. We just have to get to a stage where there's continuity, and there's plenty of time in the season to be able to do that."
Eade said Johnson had not "rushed back" when he played in rounds one, five or six.
"Brad's as frustrated as anyone. He's a little bit sore - rushing back is not the right phrase because he's been right each time to play," he said.
"But without the conditioning behind him, it's had an effect on him; that's what we hope it is. We'll give him three weeks to build him up slowly and get some conditioning and hopefully that will help the problem."
Eade also denied Johnson's collision with the training drinks cart ahead of round two wasn't a significant part of why he had failed to recover from the pre-season injury.
Teammate Daniel Giansiracusa, who is part of the captaincy rotation in Johnson's absence, says the side is anticipating their skipper's return.
"He's very well respected, not only in our club environment but in the AFL and you like to see the great players out there," he said.
"Hopefully once he gets back in three weeks time, it's for the rest of the year and into a finals campaign."
Forward Robert Murphy will miss the next three weeks after undergoing a successful knee arthroscope on Monday to remove a painful cyst.
Giansiracusa said Murphy's absence would not increase the pressure on Barry Hall and simply meant the midfielders would need to remain mindful of their options.
Defender Liam Picken is likely to return from an ankle injury against North Melbourne this week, while Ryan Griffen has overcome the back tightness that forced his late withdrawal against the Sydney Swans.
Picken will play his first game since round three after managing to overcome the forecast eight-week injury in just five.
Andrejs Everitt (ankle syndesmosis) will probably miss again but the news is worse for 2008 draftee Ayce Cordy, with the emerging tall ruled out for the season after a shoulder reconstruction.
Eade said Cordy, 19, had dislocated the shoulder that was operated on two years ago.
"It's a bit of a shame for him. We're just taking the long-term view; we seem him as a long-term player," he said.
"He's frustrated and would like to come back. He's probably right to play late August but we just think it's not worth it.
"He can spend a bit more time in rehab getting his body a bit stronger so he can attack pre-season and hopefully in the future he doesn't have anymore hiccups."
