P. J. Johnson (born June 14, 1996) is an American former professional football nose tackle. He played college football at Arizona, and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, and Las Vegas Raiders.
 Johnson on the Detroit Lions | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | June 14, 1996 Sacramento, California, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight: | 320 lb (145 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Luther Burbank (Sacramento, California) |
| College: |
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| Position: | Defensive tackle |
| NFL draft: | 2019 / round: 7 / pick: 229 |
| Career history | |
| |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Early life
editJohnson attended Monterey Trail High School in Elk Grove, California, before transferring to Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, California during his sophomore year. He played on both the offensive and defensive lines for the Titans, where he posted 90 tackles and six sacks as a senior, and was a two-time first-team all-Metro League selection. He also played baseball and basketball in high school.[1][2]
College career
editJohnson began his collegiate career at Sacramento State, where he was redshirted during the 2014 season, after suffering from a burst appendix.[3] During the 2015 season, he appeared in all 11 games for the Hornets on the defensive line, and posted 13 tackles, including 4.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack and a forced fumble.[4]
Johnson missed the 2016 season after suffering a leg injury on September 17, 2016.[5] Tests revealed a tumor in Johnson's right leg, which he had removed in January 2017.[3] Johnson transferred to City College of San Francisco during the 2017 season, where he played in 10 games and posted 17 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble.[3]
After leaving the San Francisco, Johnson received offers from Coastal Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Rutgers, Southeastern Louisiana and UNLV.[6] In December 2017, Johnson announced he would sign with Arizona.[7] During the 2018 season, Johnson appeared in 10 games for the Wildcats, including nine starts, where he posted 31 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 sacks, one pass breakup, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a safety.[8] Following the season, he was named a Pac-12 Conference All-Conference honorable mention.[9] In January 2019, Johnson declared for the NFL Draft.[10]
Professional career
editDetroit Lions (first stint)
editJohnson was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round (229th overall) of the 2019 NFL draft.[11] He was waived on August 31, 2019.[12]
Los Angeles Chargers
editOn December 4, 2019, Johnson was signed to the practice squad of the Los Angeles Chargers.[13] He signed a futures contract with the Chargers on December 30, 2019.[14] He was waived on August 1, 2020.[15]
Seattle Seahawks
editJohnson signed with the Seattle Seahawks on August 18, 2020.[16] He was waived on September 5, 2020.[17]
Arizona Cardinals
editOn November 24, 2020, Johnson was signed to the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad.[18] On December 22, 2020, Johnson was released.[19]
Carolina Panthers
editJohnson signed with the Carolina Panthers on April 13, 2021.[20] He was waived on May 16.[21]
Detroit Lions (second stint)
editOn August 7, 2021, Johnson signed with the Detroit Lions.[22] He was waived on August 23, 2021.
Las Vegas Raiders
editOn November 17, 2021, Johnson was signed to the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad.[23] After the Raiders were eliminated in the 2021 Wild Card round of the playoffs, he signed a reserve/future contract on January 17, 2022.[24] He was released on March 25, 2022.
Personal life
editJohnson has three children, a son, Tolu, and two daughters, Kiara and Brooklynn.[25]
References
edit- ^ "PJ Johnson - Sacramento State Athletics Bio". hornetsports.com. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
- ^ Lev, Michael (April 26, 2019). "After a lifetime of obstacles, Arizona Wildcats' PJ Johnson awaits his NFL opportunity". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
- ^ a b c Lev, Michael (September 25, 2018). "From 'a dark place' to a good place: Arizona's PJ Johnson perseveres through pain". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ "NFL Draft & Combine Profile - P.J. Johnson". NFL.com. April 27, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ Frey, Thomas (October 3, 2018). "28 football players left Sac State after 2016 — here's why". statehornet.com. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ Matsumoto, Mike (December 1, 2017). "Inside the Rebels: Recruiting Report PJ Johnson". 247sports.com. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
- ^ Lev, Michael (December 20, 2017). "Early signing day is bountiful for Arizona Wildcats, who land 16 players for 2018". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ "Detroit Lions Select PJ Johnson in Seventh Round". arizonawildcats.com. April 27, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ "Pac-12 Football All-Conference honors announced". pac-12.com. December 4, 2018. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ Lev, Michael (January 9, 2019). "Arizona Wildcats defensive tackle PJ Johnson entering 2019 NFL draft". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ Monarrez, Carlos (April 27, 2019). "Detroit Lions pick P.J. Johnson with final pick in 2019 NFL draft". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ "Detroit Lions establish 53-man roster". DetroitLions.com. August 31, 2019.
- ^ "Chargers sign 2 players to practice squad". Chargers Wire. USA Today. December 4, 2019.
- ^ "Chargers Sign Eight Players to Reserve/Future Contracts". Chargers.com. December 30, 2019.
- ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Announce Roster Moves". Chargers.com. August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- ^ Boyle, John (August 18, 2020). "Seahawks Sign DT P.J. Johnson". Seahawks.com. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
- ^ Boyle, John (September 5, 2020). "Seahawks Make Roster Moves To Establish Initial 53-Man Roster". Seahawks.com.
- ^ Odegard, Kyle (November 24, 2020). "Kyler Murray Calls Limited Practice 'Precautionary' Move". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ Odegard, Kyle (December 22, 2020). "Cardinals Hoping For Positive Ending To Dennis Gardeck's 'Remarkable Story'". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (April 13, 2021). "Panthers add a pair of defensive linemen". Panthers.com. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (May 16, 2021). "Panthers sign Delano Hill, Kendall Donnerson". Panthers.com. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Detroit Lions place Nick Williams on reserve/COVID, sign DTs P.J. Johnson, Michael Barnett". Pride of Detroit. SB Nation. August 7, 2021.
- ^ "Raiders promote LB Patrick Onwuasor". Raiders.com. November 17, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "Raiders announce Reserve/Future signings". Raiders.com. January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ Lev, Michael (January 9, 2019). "Desire to provide for family led Arizona defensive tackle PJ Johnson to enter NFL draft". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved April 27, 2019.