Roderick

Johnson

The 2017 fifth-rounder of the Browns never appeared in a game for Cleveland but settled in as Houston’s swing tackle the last couple years, starting six contests since 2019 and appearing in 29 games total for the Texans. He’s still just 25 years old.

One of the players tested positive for COVID and the other two were considered high-risk close contacts. It’s uncertain how long the Houston offensive linemen will remain on the COVID list. They certainly won’t play Saturday in the team’s first preseason game against Green Bay. COVID-19 will continue to be a major issue for even the most vigilant NFL teams this year.

Johnson, 25, drafted by the Browns in 2017 and waived a year later, has played in 28 games as a rotational player for Houston since the start of the 2019 season. Johnson allowed one sack and three QB hits in 245 snaps last season. He will return to a Texans offensive line graded by Pro Football Focus as the league’s eighth best pass blocking unit in 2020.

Johnson’s deal saved the Texans roughly $250,000 over extending the 2017 fifth-rounder an original-round tender. He played 381 snaps as Houstons’s swing tackle in 2019 and figures to compete for a starting role in camp.

The 2017 fifth-rounder of the Browns played 381 snaps as the Texans’ swing tackle last season and even made a trio of starts at right tackle. Houston apparently didn’t feel he was worthy of the “low” tender at more than $2 million.

It’s only a partial tear and shouldn’t require surgery. The Texans had feared that Howard’s injury was of the season-ending variety after he was carted off in Week 6, but luckily, that wasn’t the case. Roderick Johnson spelled Howard at right tackle Sunday and should probably get comfortable there with Howard reportedly slated to miss several weeks.

Johnson (6’7/299) turned pro after making 31 starts at left tackle in Tallahassee. He earned the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as both a sophomore and junior, awarded to the ACC’s top offensive lineman. While Johnson’s college accolades look impressive on paper, he is a frustrating player on tape. He struggled in pass protection while excelling in the run game, but doesn’t have the body type of a dominant NFL run blocker. Johnson also tested as a disappointing 26th-percentile athlete at the Seminoles’ Pro Day. Johnson offers freaky-long arms (36") and ample theoretical upside, but he may need a year of hard NFL coaching before realizing it.

The No. 160 overall pick of last year’s draft by the Browns, Johnson lasted two months in Houston. He would do well to crack someone’s practice squad.

The Texans needed another body at tackle after placing Seantrel Henderson (ankle) on injured reserve.

Cleveland traded up to take Johnson in the fifth round at No. 160 overall in last year’s draft. The former Florida State Seminole played zero snaps as a rookie. The two-time Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner should get another shot.