P. J. Johnson Explained

P. J. Johnson
Position:Defensive tackle
Birth Date:14 June 1996
Birth Place:Sacramento, California, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lb:320
Draftyear:2019
Draftround:7
Draftpick:229
Pastteams:
Statleague:NFL

P. J. Johnson (born June 14, 1996) is an American football nose tackle who is a free agent. 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.

Early years

Johnson 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

Johnson 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

Detroit Lions (first stint)

Johnson 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

On 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

Johnson signed with the Seattle Seahawks on August 18, 2020.[16] He was waived on September 5, 2020.[17]

Arizona Cardinals

On November 24, 2020, Johnson was signed to the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad.[18] On December 22, 2020, Johnson was released.[19]

Carolina Panthers

Johnson signed with the Carolina Panthers on April 13, 2021.[20] He was waived on May 16.[21]

Detroit Lions (second stint)

On August 7, 2021, Johnson signed with the Detroit Lions.[22] He was waived on August 23, 2021.

Las Vegas Raiders

On 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

Johnson has three children, a son, Tolu, and two daughters, Kiara and Brooklynn.[25]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PJ Johnson - Sacramento State Athletics Bio . hornetsports.com . April 28, 2019.
  2. Web site: After a lifetime of obstacles, Arizona Wildcats' PJ Johnson awaits his NFL opportunity . Arizona Daily Star . Michael . Lev . April 26, 2019 . April 28, 2019.
  3. Web site: From 'a dark place' to a good place: Arizona's PJ Johnson perseveres through pain . Arizona Daily Star . Michael . Lev . September 25, 2018 . April 27, 2019.
  4. Web site: NFL Draft & Combine Profile - P.J. Johnson . NFL.com . April 27, 2019 . April 27, 2019.
  5. Web site: 28 football players left Sac State after 2016 — here's why . statehornet.com . Thomas . Frey . October 3, 2018 . April 27, 2019.
  6. Web site: Inside the Rebels: Recruiting Report PJ Johnson . 247sports.com . Mike . Matsumoto . December 1, 2017 . April 28, 2019.
  7. Web site: Early signing day is bountiful for Arizona Wildcats, who land 16 players for 2018 . Arizona Daily Star . Michael . Lev . December 20, 2017 . April 27, 2019.
  8. Web site: Detroit Lions Select PJ Johnson in Seventh Round . arizonawildcats.com . April 27, 2019 . April 27, 2019.
  9. Web site: Pac-12 Football All-Conference honors announced . https://web.archive.org/web/20181205103345/https://pac-12.com/article/2018/12/03/pac-12-football-all-conference-honors-announced . dead . December 5, 2018 . pac-12.com . December 4, 2018 . April 27, 2019.
  10. Web site: Arizona Wildcats defensive tackle PJ Johnson entering 2019 NFL draft . Arizona Daily Star . Michael . Lev . January 9, 2019 . April 27, 2019.
  11. Web site: Detroit Lions pick P.J. Johnson with final pick in 2019 NFL draft . Detroit Free Press . Carlos . Monarrez . April 27, 2019 . April 27, 2019.
  12. Web site: Detroit Lions establish 53-man roster. DetroitLions.com. August 31, 2019.
  13. Web site: Chargers sign 2 players to practice squad. Chargers Wire. USA Today. December 4, 2019.
  14. Web site: Chargers Sign Eight Players to Reserve/Future Contracts. Chargers.com. December 30, 2019.
  15. News: Los Angeles Chargers Announce Roster Moves . Chargers.com . August 1, 2020 . August 1, 2020.
  16. News: Boyle, John . Seahawks Sign DT P.J. Johnson . Seahawks.com . August 18, 2020 . August 18, 2020.
  17. Web site: Seahawks Make Roster Moves To Establish Initial 53-Man Roster. Boyle, John. Seahawks.com. September 5, 2020.
  18. News: Odegard, Kyle . Kyler Murray Calls Limited Practice 'Precautionary' Move . AZCardinals.com . November 24, 2020 . December 29, 2020.
  19. News: Odegard, Kyle . Cardinals Hoping For Positive Ending To Dennis Gardeck's 'Remarkable Story' . AZCardinals.com . December 22, 2020 . February 5, 2021.
  20. News: Gantt, Darin . Panthers add a pair of defensive linemen . Panthers.com . April 13, 2021 . April 15, 2021.
  21. News: Gantt, Darin . Panthers sign Delano Hill, Kendall Donnerson . Panthers.com . May 16, 2021 . June 4, 2021.
  22. Web site: Detroit Lions place Nick Williams on reserve/COVID, sign DTs P.J. Johnson, Michael Barnett. Pride of Detroit. SB Nation. August 7, 2021.
  23. Web site: Raiders promote LB Patrick Onwuasor. Raiders.com. November 17, 2021.
  24. Web site: Raiders.com. Raiders announce Reserve/Future signings. January 17, 2022. January 17, 2022. Raiders Public Relations.
  25. Web site: Desire to provide for family led Arizona defensive tackle PJ Johnson to enter NFL draft . Arizona Daily Star . Michael . Lev . January 9, 2019 . April 27, 2019.

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