Ed

Johnson

Brock missed the final four of the regular season with a rib injury and should give the Colts rush defense a much needed boost against LaDainian Tomlinson.

Johnson is getting another chance after Indianapolis cut him following an arrest for marijuana possession last fall. He was a 16-game starter in 2007, but isn’t guaranteed a spot behind rookies Fili Moala and Terrance Taylor.

Knowing he won’t be able to help until Week 2 can’t help Johnson’s chances of winning a spot in Indianapolis’ suddenly deep interior tackle corps.

The move was originally reported by Profootballtalk.com and confirmed by the team Wednesday. Johnson started each of Indianapolis’ first five games, helping the club to rank 14th in the league against the run, which is very good for usually leaky Colts. Johnson’s behavioral problems date back to Penn State. He probably violated a team rule, and was re-signed before the season on a no-tolerance basis. Details figure to emerge soon.

Johnson was cut by the Colts last season after a marijuana possession arrest. It’s not known why he got the axe this time around, as he had been a key cog in the improved run defense. The Colts are deeper up front this year, but Johnson’s loss will hurt.

It’s a little hard to believe Caldwell considering Johnson’s history and the fact that Johnson started each of the Colts’ first five games. Johnson probably angered coaches with his work habits. Second-round rookie Fili Moala, who has yet to play a down all season, is now a part of the rotation.

Coach Jim Caldwell had previously called it a “performance” issue, and Polian confirmed that Johnson’s “effort” and “production” had dropped since Week 1. He was reportedly 15-to-20 pounds over his prescribed 295-pound playing weight. Johnson should draw interest from teams desperate to fix their run defense.

Johnson moves into the starting lineup right away, next to fellow 300-pounder Antonio Johnson. The Colts should have a better run defense after letting Maurice Jones-Drew go for 97 yards in Week 1. They get Miami on Monday.

Johnson fell out of the 2007 draft due to off-field issues at Penn State. “We’re still gathering the facts,” coach Tony Dungy said. “It’ll be a very swift as to what the discipline is. Ed will not play this week for sure.” Johnson was inactive in Week 1 and the Bears ran all over the Colts, so his loss hurts.

Johnson was a nice story last year, starting 16 games after making the Colts as an undrafted free agent. That became old news when he was arrested for marijuana possession; Johnson had been given a no tolerance policy due to his checkered past. The Colts’ defense is in far worse shape now and should be considered a favorable matchup for running games going forward.