Tag: Josh Johnson

Predicting the 1st roster cutdown for the Lions

All NFL teams have to cut to 85 players by Tuesday afternoon, but the Lions might not have to make any moves at all

All NFL teams have to cut down from 90 players to a maximum of 85 before Tuesday, August 16th at 4 p.m. ET. For the Detroit Lions, the impending cutdown could be anticlimactic.

The Lions currently have five players who are on either the physically unable to perform (PUP) or non-football injury (NFI) lists. Those players count against the 90-man roster even though they’re not actively cleared to practice or play.

The quintet:

  • WR Jameson Williams (NFI)
  • FB Jason Cabinda (PUP)
  • CB Jerry Jacobs (PUP)
  • DE Romeo Okwara (PUP)
  • DL Josh Paschal (PUP)

The Lions don’t have to make any decision on those five players until August 23rd. That’s the day when rosters must be trimmed down to 80 from 85, and it’s also the point where something needs to happen to players on the PUP or NFI.

From the league’s handbook for 2022:

Simultaneously with the roster reduction to 80 players, clubs that have players in the categories of Active/Physically Unable to Perform or Active/Non-Football Injury or Illness may select one of the following options: place player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable; terminate or request waivers with the designation of Failed Physical or Non- Football Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable; request waivers; terminate contract; trade contract; or continue to count the player on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform or Active/Non-Football Injury or Illness List.

In short, the Lions won’t have to cut anyone by Tuesday afternoon if they don’t want to. Not releasing anyone would be a good sign that none of the five listed players are going to play in the second preseason game in Indianapolis.

However, the Lions do have some walking wounded players who are not on the lists. If players like DT Levi Onwuzurike, WR Quintez Cephus, S Ifeatu Melifonwu and WR Josh Johnson — all missed every practice last week as well as the Falcons game — aren’t apt to be ready for the week in Indianapolis, the Lions could choose to make a move for depth purposes. Johnson, an undrafted rookie from Tulsa, is the only player here who is in any immediate roster jeopardy.

Should the Lions opt to trim someone off the active roster, my top five candidates in order: TE Nolan Givan, OL Logan Stenberg, OT Obinna Eze, TE Derrick Deese Jr. and Johnson. I don’t see head coach Dan Campbell ending the kicking competition just yet.

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3 takeaways from the Broncos 17-7 win versus the Cowboys

Here are three takeaways from the Broncos 17-7 win against the Cowboys on Saturday.

The Denver Broncos kicked off preseason with a 17-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday evening. Although starters on both teams sat, the Broncos showed the potential depth they will have on both sides of the ball while showcasing the new schematics installed this offseason. Here are three takeaways from the win.

Broncos defeat Cowboys 17-7 in first preseason game

Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Bills in Week 2 of preseason.

Denver Broncos football returned on Saturday evening, preseason style.

The Broncos rested most of their starters — including quarterback Russell Wilson — against the Dallas Cowboys, choosing to feature mostly backups who are hoping to make the roster. Denver started veteran Josh Johnson in Wilson’s place at QB.

Johnson started the game slowly, going 0-of-3 passing early, but his play picked up in the second quarter when he threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Seth Williams and he later hit Kendall Hinton on a 24-yard TD toss.

Williams and Hinton have big opportunities to win more playing time this summer following Tim Patrick’s injury.

Johnson played the first half and went 16-of-23 passing for 172 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers. He also had a three-yard rush.

Brett Rypien came in for the second half and he went 8-of-18 passing for 113 yards with no touchdowns and no turnovers.

In addition to Johnson’s two touchdown passes, kicker Brandon McManus converted a 52-yard field goal to give the Broncos 17 points.

On defense, safety P.J. Locke continued his impressive summer with an interception in the first quarter, and outside linebacker Baron Browning was the team’s standout player, totaling three tackles (including one behind the line of scrimmage), one sack and one pass breakup in the win.

Denver’s defense played well overall, but Dallas avoided a shutout by scoring late in the fourth quarter.

On the injury front, the Broncos lost starting inside linebacker Jonas Griffith to an elbow injury on the first series of the game and he did not return. The Broncos already had uncertainty at linebacker, so it will be a big blow to the team’s defense if Griffith’s injury is serious.

Denver will now have to make five roster cuts by Tuesday, Aug. 16. After that, the Broncos will play their second preseason game of the summer on the road against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, Aug. 20.

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Lions UDFA watch: Assessing the undrafted rookies entering the 1st preseason game

Detroit Lions UDFA watch: Assessing the undrafted rookies entering the 1st preseason game

One of the more interesting facets of the first preseason game is seeing the rookies in action against another team for the first time. For the undrafted rookies in Detroit, most fans have no real exposure to what they’re doing in camp or what skills they might offer.

Here’s a primer on the Lions undrafted rookie class and how they’re faring entering Friday night’s preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

Note that the list here has been pared down with the recent retirements of WR Corey Sutton and OL Zein Obeid.

Broncos’ backup QB competition close going into preseason

“I don’t think anything is solidified,” Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said of the backup QB battle between Josh Johnson and Brett Rypien.

The Denver Broncos have a quarterback competition!

OK, it’s not for the starting job, but the backup QB is still an important role.

Russell Wilson is the team’s obvious locked-in starter, with Josh Johnson and Brett Rypien competing for the QB2 job this summer. Through two weeks of training camp, neither QB has pulled ahead in the competition.

“Both of those guys are doing a fine job,” coach Nathaniel Hackett said on Thursday. “I don’t think anything is solidified. It’s about competition right there. ‘Ryp’ has great days. Josh does great things. Josh, by himself, has game experience. I think he’s as old as me.

“He’s just a great guy to have in the room either way. That’s what you’re looking for in that position — someone that can support ‘Russ,’ support all of us, and not have to practice a ton. He’s seen so much so he can go into the game at any time and play.”

Johnson is 36, six years younger than Hackett, but the coach wasn’t joking about the QB’s experience. He’s started nine games for three different teams in his career. Rypien is 10 years younger. He has one start on his resume, a win over the New York Jets in 2020.

The two QBs will get an opportunity to create some separation in the QB battle once preseason begins next week (view the schedule).

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Lions training camp position preview: Wide receivers

Detroit has overhauled the WR room in the last year but still has some question marks

Next up in the positional preview series for the Detroit Lions are the wide receivers. This is a group that looks a lot different than it did a year ago, and that’s a very good thing.

The Lions have added quite a bit of talent after seeing one of last year’s rookies emerge as a top-flight weapon. Detroit has placed an emphasis on speed, length and playmaking ability that was notably in absentia in 2021.

Lions training camp position preview: Tight end

Lions training camp position preview: Running back

Lions training camp position preview: Quarterback

Watch: Lions rookie class breakdown and how they fit into Detroit

Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon sits down with Ourlads Scouting to break down the draft class and how they fit into Detroit

We’re getting our first look at the 2022 Detroit Lions team this week with OTAs bringing together the full roster in Allen Park. It’s a great time to dig into the rookie class and depth chart in Detroit. I got a chance to do that with Ourlads scouting service earlier this week.

The fast-moving podcast with host Greg DePalma centers around the new additions in Detroit. Each of the draftees are broken down with the scouting reports from both Ourlads and myself.

This one puts a nice bow on the Lions draft of 2022. We went through all the picks and how they fit into the team and the new schemes. There is also a very good discussion about the undrafted rookies and who might make an impact in Detroit in 2022, with Greg noting how highly Ourlads graded Tulsa WR Josh Johnson.

One WR for the Eagles in every round of 2022 NFL Draft

One WR for the Philadelphia Eagles in every round of the 2022 NFL Draft

We’re just two weeks away from the 2022 NFL draft and the Eagles clearly look like a team set to add another wide receiver to the roster.

Philadelphia has had Jameson Williams, Chris Olave, and other top wide receivers in for top-30 visits after striking out on adding a big-named veteran during the free-agent process.

If the Eagles draft a wide receiver in round one, it would mark the third consecutive draft that such a scenario has taken place, and it could mark the end for the 2020 first-round pick.

Philadelphia yearns for an explosive passing game and there are several receivers on the board that can help elevate Jalen Hurts to the next tier as a passer.

With the draft just around the corner, here’s one wide receiver for the Eagles in each round.

Broncos add veteran backup QB Josh Johnson

Josh Johnson has started nine games in his NFL career.

The Denver Broncos have added a veteran quarterback to the roster to serve as Russell Wilson’s backup in 2022.

Josh Johnson (6-2, 201 pounds) has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Denver, the team announced Friday evening. Johnson is the definition of a journeyman quarterback, spending time with 13 different NFL teams before joining the Broncos this offseason.

In addition to his NFL experience, Johnson has also played in the UFL (2012), the AAF (2019) and the XFL (2020). He spent time with the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens as a backup last season.

The Ravens signed Johnson off the Jets’ practice squad last December. He started in one game in Baltimore when Lamar Jackson was injured and Tyler Huntley was out with COVID-19. Johnson completed 70% of his passes for 304 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in his lone start last year.

Johnson, 35, has started nine games in his career, eight more than fellow backup Brett Rypien, 25. Johnson and Rypien will likely compete for the team’s backup quarterback job this summer.

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Former Ravens QB Josh Johnson finds new NFL home

Former Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson signed with a new team on Friday

The Baltimore Ravens have seen a few of their 2022 free agents depart over the last few days. Tight end Eric Tomlinson signed with the Denver Broncos, cornerback Anthony Averett landed with the Las Vegas Raiders, and center Bradley Bozeman made his way to Carolina and agreed to terms with the Panthers.

A fourth Baltimore free agent has also found a new home as Denver announced that in addition to adding Tomlinson, they have also agreed to terms with quarterback Josh Johnson on a one-year contract. They announced the move on their Twitter page on Friday evening.

Johnson was signed by the Ravens to their active roster in December amid injuries to the position. After a COVID-19 outbreak hit their quarterback room, Johnson started in Baltimore’s Week 16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, completing 28 of 40 passes for 304 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. The journeyman quarterback now makes the 17th stop on his professional football journey, two of which include stints with the Ravens.