Dontae

Johnson

Johnson has been mostly a reserve corner for the 49ers after his one-year sabbatical in Buffalo, and he played his highest number of defensive snaps since 2017 for them in 2021: 325. Johnson’s good depth for the 49ers behind Emmanuel Moseley, Charvarius Ward, and Ambry Thomas.

Johnson was joined by cornerback K’Waun Williams and RB Raheem Mostert, whose addition to the list is purely procedural. The 49ers play a must-win game versus the Rams in Week 18 so it would be a tough loss if both corners are out. With the new COVID rules in place, it’s possible that neither player misses Week 18.

Johnson showed up on the injury report as questionable on Friday due to a non-injury situation, and he was downgraded to out on Saturday. It is tough timing for the 49ers, who will also be without Emmanuel Moseley (ankle, IR). This looks like a matchup to target for Joe Burrow and company.

Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon, and Elijah Mitchell are San Francisco’s top-three running backs, at least until Jeff Wilson returns. The 49ers also waived/released DL Alex Barrett, WR River Cracraft, DL Darrion Daniels, OL Alfredo Gutierrez, LB Justin Hilliard, FB Josh Hokit, OL Corbin Kaufusi, S Jared Mayden, OL Colton McKivitz, CB Alexander Myres, OL Dakoda Shepley, LB Elijah Sullivan, WR Nsimba Webster, WR Travis Benjamin, OL Jake Brendel, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, CB Dontae Johnson, OL Senio Kelemete, TE Jordan Matthews, TE MyCole Pruitt, QB Nate Sudfeld, and DL Eddie Yarbrough.

Johnson can play some corner in a pinch, but he’s being signed as a core special teamer. The former fourth-rounder has spent six of his eight NFL seasons with the Niners. The front office still has a lot of work to do filling out the cornerback depth chart.

Johnson spent time between the Chargers and San Francisco last year, appearing in nine games as sub-package corner and special teamer. He’ll compete for a depth role in training camp.

Jason Verrett’s troublesome knee has landed him on injured reserve, and the 49ers need some cornerback depth. An ineffective 16-game starter for the Niners in 2017, Johnson has struggled to get on the regular season field the past two years and was included in the 49ers’ final cuts coming out of camp.

The team placed CB Trevor Williams (quad) on injured reserve in a corresponding move. A 16-game starter for San Francisco in ’17, Johnson was picked up by the Niners again back in May before ultimately released over final cuts weekend. He’ll add much needed depth to Los Angeles’ secondary.

A 16-game starter for the 49ers in 2017, Johnson struggled to get on the field for Arizona and Buffalo last season. A liability in 2017, Johnson is a pure depth signing for a coaching staff that is familiar with his play.

Johnson was expected to open the season as a starter for Seattle, but a groin injury sent him to injured reserve prior to Week 1. He was released with an injury settlement last week, and he did not have to wait long to find a new team. Buffalo’s pass defense has played better recently, but they still could use some help opposite Tre’Davious White. DE Nate Orchard was cut in a corresponding move.