Former Kentucky cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr signs with Carolina Panthers

Former Kentucky cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr signs with the Carolina Panthers.

The NFL’s roster cut-down day saw more than on former Kentucky Wildcat be released, including Josh Ali and Quandre Mosely. One other cut was cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr, but he didn’t stay a free agent for long.

On Wednesday, Johnson was signed by the Carolina Panthers, who ironically were the team that released Mosely. Johnson will join the Panthers practice squad, but the expectation is that he’ll be promoted to the 53-man roster before the season begins per a report from Tom Pelissero.

Related: Top 100 players in Kentucky football history: 100-81

Johnson played for two seasons at Kentucky, and recorded 64 tackles, a sack, and an interception. He became a second round draft pick of the Houston Texans in 2019, and spent three seasons there before being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs.

He would spend time with Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints before re-signing with Houston earlier this year. Unfortunately, he didn’t survive the roster cuts with the Texans, but will get a fresh start with Carolina. Big Blue nation wishes him well in his new home.