George

Johnson

Johnson didn’t make the final 53 after a beastly preseason, racking up 10 tackles and three sacks in four exhibition games. The 23-year-old will add depth at defensive end, which is now needed because Da’Quan Bowers is moving inside to tackle. The Bucs are trying to make up for Gerald McCoy’s high ankle sprain.

Johnson was carted to the locker room just before halftime. He was ruled out for the rest of the game to start the second half.

The reserve lineman had to be carted to the locker room in Sunday’s loss to the Saints. He tallied just two tackles in four games this season. DT John McCargo has been re-signed to take his roster spot.

Johnson was promoted due to three Minnesota defensive ends being on the Week 16 injury report. Asper didn’t play a single snap this season, while Reisner reeled in one pass for 13 yards.

Johnson suffered the injury in Thursday’s practice. According to ESPN Bucs reporter Jenna Laine, Johnson will need 16 weeks to recover. Signed to a three-year, $9 million pact last year, Johnson didn’t record a sack in 2015.

Johnson had a breakout six-sack season for the Lions in 2014, and Detroit shipped him to Tampa Bay on a three-year, $9 million deal only for the Bucs to see Johnson fail to register a single sack the past two years. His release saves the Bucs $2.25 million against the cap. Johnson turns 30 this year.

Neither player has star power, but both put together solid 2014s. Smith recorded 5.5 sacks after becoming the Bucs’ starting left end midway through the season, and Johnson recorded six sacks in only 502 snaps for the Lions. Tampa Bay hopes both can improve a pass rush which recorded just 36 sacks last year.

Johnson, 26, last appeared in a regular season game for the Vikings back in 2012. He’s made just 11 career appearances, notching just seven tackles.

The deal is worth $9 million over three years. The Lions likely have a problem with the language in the deal. The contract was sent to the NFL for approval. The deadline for Detroit to match the offer sheet is technically 4pm ET today, but it sounds like the situation could drag out another day or two.

It’s Johnson’s first-known visit. Johnson was tendered at the lowest level, which means the Lions would have the right to match any offer, but would receive no compensation if they decided to let Johnson walk. Now 27, Johnson generated six sacks across 531 snaps last season.