Lonnie

Johnson Jr.

Johnson heads back to Houston after spending two years as a reserve first in Tennessee then New Orleans. All 19 of his career starts came 2019-21 for the Texans. Two months shy of his 27th birthday, Johnson should remain a defensive depth piece and core special teamer.

Johnson first went into the medical tent, then headed into the locker room prior to halftime. His quick exit into the locker room indicates it will be difficult for him to return, but the Saints will presumably evaluate Johnson over halftime.

Johnson started his career in Houston, starting 19 games for the franchise after being drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Capable of playing both safety and corner, Johnson should help fill a depth role behind established starters.

Johnson was a former second-round pick by the Texans in 2019 and has since bounced around between Kansas City and Tennessee. A hamstring injury limited him to just 12 games with the Titans last season after the team claimed him from the Chiefs, while he also played a career-low 165 defensive snaps. Wherever he lands next, it’s likely Johnson is nothing more than added depth in the secondary.

Although he wasn’t drafted with Mike Vrabel in the building, Vrabel can’t help but bring former Texans into the fold in Tennessee. The Titans will take a stab on Johnson’s physical talent on the bottom of their corner depth chart. He shouldn’t be a threat to real snaps without injuries, but has a non-zero chance at making the roster.

Kansas City traded a seventh-round pick to Houston for Johnson in May. Johnson loses his spot after the Chiefs signed veteran DT Danny Shelton. Johnson, a 2019 second-round pick, has started 19 games the last three seasons and should draw interest on waivers.

ProFootballTalk notes that Johnson requested this trade, as he publicly revealed on Twitter, following a Texans draft that included No. 3 pick CB Derek Stingley and No. 37 pick S Jalen Pitre. Johnson has played both safety and cornerback, but both positions are now more crowded in Houston. Entering his age-25 season, Johnson offers the Chiefs positional flexibility and could see snaps at multiple spots in the secondary.

“Lonnie has position flexibility. I think it’s safe to say, we see Lonnie as a safety right now. He feels good about that. He’s got excellent size. He’s got a corner skillset, too. Really feel good about him fitting into our defense,” Smith said at his introductory press conference. The Texans drafted Johnson in 2019 to play corner but moved him to safety full-time last year. He was effective in a semi-regular role, posting 76 tackles despite playing only 64 percent of defensive snaps. With Eric Murray returning for at least another season, Johnson should continue to split playing time opposite Justin Reid.

Just returning from a concussion, Johnson was announced as “questionable” in the first half but never returned. A multi-week injury would be the last thing the Texans’ undermanned secondary needs.

If Johnathan Joseph (hamstring, shoulder) can’t suit up, Houston would be without their top three corners and J.J. Watt (pec, IR) in their divisional tilt against Gardner Minshew and the Jaguars’ aerial offense. Both D.J. Chark and Chris Conley should be upgraded given this news.