Lonnie

Johnson

The Raiders get back S Lonnie Johnson, who broke his leg in training camp. Rookies, DT Tonka Hemingway and WR Dont’e Thornton, are active tonight as well. The Raiders will ostensibly use the next few weeks to see if one or more of their rookie wide receivers, including Jack Bech, can unseat one of head coach Pete Carroll’s favorites, WR Tyler Lockett.

Miller was the Raiders’ sixth-round pick, and it seems very likely that the signal-caller will be back with Las Vegas on their practice squad. Tommy Mellott — a former college quarterback who is making the move to wide receiver — was also part of the cuts for the Raiders. The full list of players who won’t make the 53-man roster: aived DT Zach Carter, RB Chris Collier, DE Jahfari Harvey, WR Shedrick Jackson, LB Matt Jones, DT Treven Ma’ae, G Atonio Mafi, RB Sincere McCormick, DE Ovie Oghoufo, TE Carter Runyon, WR Justin Shorter, OL Laki Tasi, S Trey Taylor, CB Greedy Vance, T Dalton Wagner and S JT Woods, WR Alex Bachman, S Terrell Edmunds and TE Albert Okwuegbunam while Lonnie Johnson Jr. was placed on the injured list and designated for return.

Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Raiders this offseason and was battling for a rotational spot in the secondary. Per Fowler, Johnson will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the damage, but the six-year vet will now open the year on the PUP list with the hopes of making it back at some point in the season. Johnson has made just one start in the 39 games he’s appeared in since 2022 and totaled just seven tackles last season.

Johnson provides depth in the secondary and reliable special teams skills. Raiders head coach Pete Carroll has long appreciated players with diverse skill sets, who can contribute in multiple facets of the game. While Johnson may not be a high-snap defensive player, he will be given a chance to contribute in his own way.

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.