Tag: Johnson

Dec 22, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Trayveon Williams (32) reacts after a play against the Cleveland Browns in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Patriots sign free agent RB Trayveon Williams

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New England Patriots on Wednesday announced the signing of free agent running back Trayveon Williams.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Williams, 27, primarily a special teams player in Cincinnati, has rushed for 307 yards in 68 career games (zero starts) since the Bengals selected him in the sixth round of the 2019 draft. He also has 15 catches for 74 yards.

In a corresponding move, the Patriots released defensive tackle Eric Johnson II, who was claimed off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts last August.

Johnson, 26, recorded 17 tackles in 11 games (zero starts) for the Pats last season.

–Field Level Media

The New York Jets' first-round picks Jermaine Johnson, Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner and Garrett Wilson are introduced at a press conference. Syndication The Record

Jets pick up options for three 2022 first-round picks

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The New York Jets are picking up the fifth-year options on all three of their 2022 first-round draft picks, general manager Darren Mougey said Monday.

The fully guaranteed 2026 options are worth $20.1 million for cornerback Sauce Gardner (fourth overall pick), $16.8 million for wide receiver Garrett Wilson (10th) and $13.4 million for linebacker Jermaine Johnson (26th).

Gardner, 24, has earned two Pro Bowl and two All-Pro first-team selections and was the 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year. He has recorded three interceptions, 40 passes defensed and 181 tackles in 48 games (all starts).

Wilson, 24, has posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons and was the NFL’s 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year. He has collected 279 catches for 3,249 yards and 14 touchdowns in 51 games (46 starts).

Johnson, 26, made the Pro Bowl in 2023 but missed the final 15 games last season with a torn Achilles tendon. He has 10 sacks, 21 quarterback hits, one interception and one fumble recovery in 33 games (19 starts).

–Field Level Media

Michigan defensive back Will Johnson (2) celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against Fresno State during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.

Report: Michigan duo won’t work out at Combine

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Michigan cornerback Will Johnson and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant will not work out at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, ESPN and NFL Network reported Thursday.

Both projected first-round picks are instead expected to be full participants in the Wolverines’ Pro Day on March 21.

Johnson intercepted nine passes in three seasons at Michigan, returning three of them for touchdowns. He added 68 tackles in 32 games.

A national champion in 2023 and a two-time All-Big Ten selection, Johnson was a first-team All-American in 2023 and earned second-team recognition in 2024 despite shoulder and foot injuries that limited him to six games.

Johnson was named the defensive MVP in Michigan’s College Football Playoff national championship game victory against Washington on Jan. 8, 2024. He had four tackles and an interception in the 34-13 win.

Combine medical evaluations revealed a hamstring strain for Grant, who had been planning to participate in on-field drills Thursday. The nose tackle said on Wednesday that he dropped more than 15 pounds to get his weight to 332 with a goal of running a 40-yard dash time in the 4.8-second range. The Indiana native also expected to see a slew of family and familiar faces in the stands at Lucas Oil Stadium for workouts.

Grant had 69 tackles (12 for losses) with 6.5 sacks, 10 passes defensed, one interception and three fumble recoveries in 41 games over three seasons in Ann Arbor.

Grant was a second-team All-Big Ten selection in both 2023 and 2024 and a third-team All-American last season.

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) talks to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson at practice during mini camp at Detroit Lions headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

Lions GM not worried about Jared Goff in post-Ben Johnson era

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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff threw for a career-best 37 touchdowns this season under the watchful eye of then-offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes doesn’t expect the good times to come to an end for Goff now that Johnson has moved on to become the head coach of the NFC North-rival Chicago Bears.

“Obviously, he was very productive with Ben as a coordinator but he had a lot of prior success before he even got here as well in a completely different system,” Holmes said on Thursday. “I think he’s a better quarterback, a more mature quarterback now than he was then when he had early success. I don’t foresee that. I think the guy’s in his prime. He’s gotten better and better every year. And when I say prime, I think, like, just entering it because he keeps ascending.

“I think every single year we’ve been here, the next year … the levels keep improving. Again, I have a lot of faith in Dan (Campbell, head coach) and I know that he’ll make sure Jared is in a good position.”

Goff, 30, was named a finalist for the Associated Press 2024 NFL Most Valuable Player award on Thursday after completing a career-high 72.4 percent of his passes for 4,629 yards this season.

He joined fellow quarterbacks Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) and Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) as well as Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley as finalists for the award.

Under Johnson, Detroit boasted the NFL’s No. 1 scoring offense this season (33.2 points per game) and finished second in total offense (409.5 yards per game). The Lions’ points (564) and regular-season wins (15) this season were franchise records.

Goff, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, is a four-time Pro Bowl selection with 35,058 passing yards and 222 touchdowns in 134 starts with the Los Angeles Rams (2016-20) and Lions.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing walks on the sideline before the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brent Skeen-Imagn Images

Report: Bears request interviews with Cards OC, Lions coordinators

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The Chicago Bears submitted formal requests to interview Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing as well both coordinators from the Detroit Lions, NFL Network reported Monday.

The Bears (5-12) fired head coach Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29 after a 4-8 start.

The Bears put in requests to interview Lions OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn, per the report. Both are expected to attract multiple interviews this offseason. The Lions garnered the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.

Chicago snapped a 10-game losing streak and picked up its first win under interim coach Thomas Brown with a season-ending 24-22 victory at Green Bay on Sunday. Bears general manager Ryan Poles said Sunday that Brown, who started the season as the passing game coordinator, will also get an interview.

“It was challenging,” Brown said Monday, “but I learned a lot about myself this year.”

Brown said he is confident Poles learned more about him by watching him run the team than he could articulate in an interview.

Petzing, 37, just completed his second season as the offensive coordinator under Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon.

The Cardinals (8-9) missed the playoffs but finished 12th in the NFL in scoring (23.5 points per game) and 11th in total offense (358.2 yards per game).

Petzing previously worked as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Browns (2013, 2020-22) and Vikings (2014-19), crossing over with current Bears president Kevin Warren in Minnesota.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) carries the ball against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Report: Ravens’ Zay Flowers in, Texans’ Diontae Johnson out

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is expected to play in Wednesday’s game at Houston, NFL Network reported.

Flowers is officially listed as questionable for the Ravens (10-5) with a shoulder injury sustained in last Saturday’s 34-17 victory over Pittsburgh.

Flowers, 24, leads Baltimore in receptions (71) and receiving yards (1,016) with four touchdowns in 15 games (13 starts) this season.

On the other side, newly acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson will not make his debut for the Texans (9-6) on Christmas Day, per the report.

Johnson was claimed off waivers from the Ravens on Monday and is not expected to suit up for Houston until its Week 18 contest at Tennessee.

Johnson, 28, caught one pass in four games (one start) with Baltimore after being acquired in an Oct. 29 trade with Carolina. He had 30 catches for 357 yards and three TDs in seven starts with the Panthers.

–Field Level Media

Michigan defensive back Will Johnson celebrates a touchdown after intercepting USC quarterback Miller Moss during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Michigan CB Will Johnson enters 2025 NFL Draft

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Michigan cornerback Will Johnson entered the 2025 NFL Draft, ending his college career with his sights set on being a first-round pick in April.

Johnson, ranked as a top 10 player overall by Field Level Media in the 2025 draft rankings, is one of two Wolverines defenders to declare for the draft this week. Defensive tackle Mason Graham, another first-round prospect in Field Level Media rankings, announced his exit from Ann Arbor on Tuesday.

With elite size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) and big-time production in the Big Ten, Johnson is projected as high as the No. 5 overall pick in 2025. He had nine career interceptions and set the record with three career interception returns for touchdowns.

“I want to start by thanking God for guiding me every step of the way. I would be nothing without Him and his hand on my life,” Johnson said in his farewell announcement posted to social media Wednesday. “To my coaches – Thank you to Coach Harbaugh for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play at Michigan, it was a true honor.”

Johnson played in only six games in 2024 and said he won’t be playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama this month.

Johnson was sidelined for Michigan’s win over Ohio State last month with a toe injury and missed one game with a shoulder injury. He has been limited by the toe injury since leaving the game at Illinois on Oct. 19, but is expected to be healthy for the pre-draft circuit starting with the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

The defensive MVP of the national championship game in January, Johnson had two interception returns for touchdowns this season. He had four picks last season for the undefeated Wolverines, including an interception of then-quarterback Kyle McCord in the rivalry game against Ohio State that featured Johnson matching up with 2023 first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receivers Adam Thielen (19) and Diontae Johnson (5) before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Panthers rule out WRs Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen

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Bryce Young will be minus two top targets when he gets back under center for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

On Friday, receivers Diontae Johnson (rib) and Adam Thielen (hamstring) were ruled out for the Week 8 game at Denver.

Quarterback Andy Dalton, who started the past five games after replacing Young, is listed as doubtful against the Broncos due to a sprained right thumb sustained in a car accident on Tuesday.

Johnson, 28, leads the Panthers (1-6) in receptions (30), targets (58), receiving yards (357) and receiving touchdowns (three).

Thielen, 34, will miss his fifth straight game. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has eight catches for 109 yards and one TD.

Young’s available wide receivers against the Broncos (4-3) include rookies Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker along with David Moore and Jonathan Mingo.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (68) looks on after a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Eagles assessing options in wake of injury to LT Jordan Mailata

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The Philadelphia Eagles expect to play without left tackle Jordan Mailata for their next few games, coach Nick Sirianni said.

Mailata was carted to the locker room in the fourth quarter of the Eagles’ 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday after injuring his left hamstring. The 6-foot-8, 365-pound veteran immediately was ruled out of the game and was seen on crutches after the contest.

“It looks like Jordan is going to be out a couple weeks,” Sirianni said on Monday. “We’ll see exactly how long it’s going to be. I don’t have that information yet, exactly all that. Jordan is busting his butt trying to make a play, and unfortunately that happened.”

Sirianni said “everything is on the table” when asked if moving Mekhi Becton from guard to tackle is a possibility for the Eagles (3-2) in Sunday’s game against the New York Giants (2-4) in East Rutherford, N.J.

“We’ve got some good ability to do different things because of the roster that Howie (Roseman, general manager) and his staff have built and the flexibility that Coach (Jeff) Stoutland coaches the guys up with to be able to be multiple at different positions. So flexibility’s there. We’re early on in the process and we’ll figure that out as the week goes.”

Fred Johnson played the final 13 offensive snaps in Mailata’s place.

Mailata, 27, has started all five games this season and 62 of his 67 career contests since Philadelphia selected the former Australian rugby player in the seventh round of the 2018 draft.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) runs with the ball after making a catch for a touchdown against Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell (21) during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Bills WR Khalil Shakir, DT Ed Oliver out vs. Texans

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Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir, defensive tackles Ed Oliver and Austin Johnson and safety Taylor Rapp have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the host Houston Texans, Buffalo coach Sean McDermott announced Friday.

Shakir (ankle), Johnson (oblique) and Rapp (concussion protocol) did not practice all week after sustaining their respective injuries in the Bills’ 35-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday. Oliver, however, sustained a hamstring injury during practice on Thursday.

Shakir leads the Bills in catches (18), receiving yards (230) and receiving touchdowns (two). Tight end Dalton Kincaid has 13 catches for 132 yards and wideout Keon Coleman has eight and 126, respectively.

Rookie Cole Bishop is expected to be elevated into a starting role opposite safety Damar Hamlin with Rapp sidelined. Bishop is a second-round pick out of Utah.

–Field Level Media