HOUSTON — When the Houston Texans played the Miami Dolphins during a Week 9 loss, Lonnie Johnson did not receive a single defensive snap. The only time Johnson saw the field at Hard Rock Stadium came by the way of special teams.
Johnson’s lack of playing time was far from the promise he showcased during the first five games of the season, when the 26-year-old defensive back was trending towards a trajectory of progress starting at strong safety with the Texans.
Since the Texans’ Week 6 loss against the Indianapolis Colts, Johnson has experience a significant decrease in his snaps. And according to coach David Culley, the team has moved Johnson back to his original position — cornerback.
“We feel good about Lonnie being there and now he has to relearn that position again,” Culley said Wednesday morning. “He was more comfortable there. He wasn’t as comfortable playing safety because it wasn’t his natural position. In our scheme, it did not fit who Johnson was.”
After the Texans selected Johnson during the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft (54th overall), the University of Kentucky prodigy began his career playing cornerback.
In an attempt to revamp their appalling defense last season, the Texans switched Johnson to safety where he thrived at the start of the 2021 campaign. In eight games played so far, Johnson had recorded a career-high three interceptions starting at safety.
With Johnson moving back to corner, Culley announced that Eric Murray will start at strong safety against the 8-2 Tennessee Titans on Sunday.