The Tennessee Titans have moved on from a key component of the Huskies’ magical 2023 season.
The team announced Thursday that they had waived running back Dillon Johnson, who many Titans pundits thought would be in the mix to make the roster as the third back behind Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears.
Johnson was waived to make room for two signings by Tennessee: center Corey Levin and outside linebacker Shane Ray. It leaves the team with Pollard, Spears, Hassan Haskins, Julius Chestnut, and UDFA Jabari Small at running back.
After rushing for nearly 1,200 yards in his only season on Montlake, Johnson signed with the Titans following the 2024 NFL draft. He scored 16 touchdowns and played through a number of lower body injuries down the stretch for Washington as the team advanced all the way to the National Championship game.
A lingering foot issue prevented Johnson from doing any drills other than the 40-yard-dash at the NFL combine or working out at Washington’s pro day, part of the reason the breakout star was not drafted in April. But he entered the spring healthy and was a strong performer in OTAs, leading some plugged in to the team to believe he’d be a candidate for a role in a Titans backfield that will look much different in 2024 after Derrick Henry left for Baltimore.
Johnson will have some time to catch on with another team or potentially return to the Titans, as the final roster cut date is still more than a month away. Cuts this early into training camp often earn another opportunity, and Johnson could also sign to a practice squad following final cuts even if he doesn’t spend training camp on an NFL roster.
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