Austin Johnson - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Panthers and Jaguars expect improvements from revamped defenses in season opener

The Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars expect to see defensive improvements in their season opener

SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 • Associated Press

Saints trade DT Saunders to Jaguars for C Fortner following preseason game, AP sources say

Two people familiar with negotiations say two-time Super Bowl champion defensive tackle Khalen Saunders is being traded from New Orleans to Jacksonville for center Luke Fortner

AUGUST 18, 2025 • Associated Press

Joining Jags Johnson is signing with the Jaguars on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Johnson will compete for a depth role on the interior of Jacksonville's defensive line. The 31-year-old defensive tackle has 131 games of regular-season NFL experience, including 56 starts. He appeared in 15 regular-season games for the Bills in 2024.

AUGUST 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Plays rotational role for Buffalo Johnson finished the 2024 regular season with 19 tackles (seven solo), including 0.5 sacks, and two interceptions in 15 games.

Impact The defensive tackle also made seven stops across three postseason games. Johnson played on at least 20 percent of the defensive snaps in 15 of his 18 games between the regular season and postseason. The veteran will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason after signing a one-year deal with Buffalo last March, and he has only signed one multiyear contract, a two-year deal with the Chargers in 2022, since completing his rookie contract with the Titans in 2019.

FEBRUARY 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Austin Johnson After Game-Changing INT vs Colts: "Blessed to Be in the Right Position" Bills Defensive Tackle Austin Johnson addresses the media after the Bills 30-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Topics include: how he made...

NOVEMBER 10, 2024 • BUFFALOBILLS.COM

Big-man INT! Austin Johnson's second takeaway of 2024 comes vs. Flacco | Bills at Colts Big-man interception! Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Austin Johnson's second takeaway of 2024 comes vs. the Indianapolis Colts quarterback J...

NOVEMBER 10, 2024 • BUFFALOBILLS.COM

Austin Johnson intercepts the Geno Smith pass | Bills at Seahawks Austin Johnson intercepts the Geno Smith pass vs. Seattle Seahawks, 10/27/2024

OCTOBER 27, 2024 • BUFFALOBILLS.COM

Ready to rock Johnson (oblique) is active ahead of Monday night's matchup against the Jets.

Impact Johnson was able to log a week of limited practice sessions after missing Buffalo's Week 5 loss to the Texans due to an oblique injury. With Johnson active in Week 6, he's expected to serve as one of the Bills' top rotational defensive tackles.

OCTOBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Missing Week 5 Head coach Sean McDermott told reporters Friday that Johnson (oblique) won't play in Sunday's matchup against the Texans, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Johnson likely sustained this oblique injury during the Bills' Week 4 loss to the Ravens and didn't practice the entire week, so it's no surprise that he won't be suiting up in Week 5. With Johnson sidelined Sunday, expect Zion Logue to see additional reps as one of the Bills' top reserve interior defensive linemen.

OCTOBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Off injury report Johnson (calf) was left off Buffalo's injury report Wednesday ahead of Sunday's Week 1 game against the Cardinals.

Impact Johnson sustained a calf injury during the Bills' preseason game against the Steelers, but it now appears that he's moved past the issue. The veteran defensive tackle appeared in 17 regular-season games with the Chargers last season, recording 46 total tackles and two passes defended. He's expected to serve as a rotational piece on the Bills' defensive line in his first season in Buffalo.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out with calf injury Johnson won't return to Saturday's preseason contest against the Steelers after suffering a calf injury.

Impact Johnson didn't log any defensive stats in the game prior to his departure. When healthy, he's slated to work in a rotational role as part of the Bills' defensive line this season.

AUGUST 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Goff's fourth-down pass incomplete in end zone after Austin Johnson's pressure Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Austin Johnson pressures Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff for a fourth-down stop at the goal line.

NOVEMBER 12, 2023 • NFL.COM

Chargers News: Defensive Tackle Austin Johnson Set To Make Impact as He Returns to Practice The second-year Charger is set to make his mark in 2023

AUGUST 19, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Austin Johnson, St. Petersburg , Inside Linebacker Austin Johnson is a 6-3, 225-pound Inside Linebacker from Saint Petersburg, FL.

JULY 21, 2023 • 247SPORTS.COM

Officially moved to IR Johnson (knee) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

Impact This move comes as no surprise considering coach Brandon Staley revealed Monday that Johnson had suffered a season-ending knee injury. The former second-round pick of the Titans will look to make a full recovery heading into the 2023 campaign.

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out for season Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Monday that Johnson will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury he suffered during Sunday's win over the Falcons, Daniel Popper of...

Impact Per Staley, Johnson suffered an MCL injury and a fractured knee in the Week 9 win. Johnson had been filling a big role on the Chargers' defensive line, playing over half of the team's defensive snaps in all but one contest and racking up 22 tackles, one sack and one pass defensed over eight games. Christian Covington will likely see more work in his absence.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with injury Johnson (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Impact Johnson was taken to the locker room on a cart after sustaining this injury at some point during the second half, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports. The starting nose tackle recorded 19 tackles, one sack and one pass defended over the first seven games of the season, and his absence will leave Christian Covington to step up into a larger role against Atlanta.

NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joins Chargers Johnson is expected to sign with the Chargers on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Johnson spent the last two years with the Giants, and he earned a career-high 648 defensive snaps in 2021. As a result, he's been rewarded with a two-year deal worth up to $14 million, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Johnson should have a significant role at nose tackle with the Chargers, as he looks likely to replace Linval Joseph, who is an unrestricted free agent.

MARCH 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Active Sunday Johnson (foot) is active for Sunday's game against the Giants, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Impact It's the third straight game Johnson will play after he was considered questionable with the foot injury. The 27-year-old hasn't appeared to have any limitations the past couple weeks and should continue to fill his usual role up front for New York.

JANUARY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Available for Week 16 Johnson (foot) is active for Sunday's contest against the Eagles.

Impact Despite not practicing Friday, Johnson will once again play through a foot injury. He played 39 defensive snaps and recorded two tackles during the Giants' Week 15 loss to the Cowboys and will likely see a similar workload against the Eagles.

DECEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Sunday Johnson (foot) is questionable for Sunday's game at Philadelphia, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Impact Johnson played through the foot injury last week, and his status is now in question for Week 16. Danny Shelton will likely see increased playing time if Johnson is unable to suit up.

DECEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Sunday Johnson (foot) is active for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

Impact Johnson was listed as questionable heading into the weekend after the foot injury kept him out of the Giants' first two practices of Week 15. He returned to the field Friday as a limited participant, demonstrating enough progress in his recovery from the injury for the Giants to feel comfortable with keeping him active. Johnson has been a force on the interior of the New York defensive line this season, tallying 59 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

DECEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dustin Johnson with fill-in caddie after caddie/brother Austin tests positive for Covid-19 Dustin Johnson is without his brother and caddie Austin Johnson at the 3M Open this week after Austin tested positive for Covid-19.

JULY 22, 2021 • GOLF.COM

Re-ups with Giants Johnson re-signed with the Giants on Monday, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The terms of the deal weren't reported, though Johnson will return for his second season with the Giants. He played 231 defensive snaps across 16 games while managing 18 tackles and one sack. Johnson could have an elevated role at nose tackle in 2021 after Dalvin Tomlinson left in free agency.

MARCH 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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Panthers and Jaguars expect improvements from revamped defenses in season opener

Saints trade DT Saunders to Jaguars for C Fortner following preseason game, AP sources say