Titans newcomer shines in his first day with the team
The newest member of the Tennessee Titans made a strong first impression during Wednesday's joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Lonnie Johnson Jr., a defensive back entering his fourth NFL season, was claimed off waivers by the Titans on Tuesday following his release from the Kansas City Chiefs. Johnson was 2nd round pick of […]
The newest member of the Tennessee Titans made a strong first impression during Wednesday's joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Lonnie Johnson Jr., a defensive back entering his fourth NFL season, was claimed off waivers by the Titans on Tuesday following his release from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Johnson was 2nd round pick of the Houston Texans back in the 2019 NFL Draft, but was traded to the Chiefs back in may for a 2024 conditional seventh round pick.
In 2021, Johnson had his most productive NFL season to date, recording three interceptions and six passes defended in 14 games (seven starts).
While Johnson was brought in as another depth option for the Titans at CB, his first practice with his new team showed that he could find ways to contribute to the 2022 defense.
During a a really successful 11-on-11 period for the Titans defense, Johnson secured the first turnover of the day for the Titans defense with an interception.
Johnson also drew some praise after practice from All-Pro safety and teammate Kevin Byard, who singled out Johnson's performance as something that stood out to him.
"Lonnie Johnson got a pick on the first day, so it's good to have him out here," Byard said. "He made some plays out in Houston as well, so it's good to have him."
Byard also referred to Johnson and Adrian Colbert (another recent addition to the secondary) having their work cut out for them with the complexity of the Titans defensive scheme.
That will certainly apply to Tyree Gillespie, a safety recently acquired via trade from the Las Vegas Raiders, too.
While it may take time to get fully acclimated in the new defense, the one way to stick out and land a roster spot is by showing a capacity for playmaking.
Johnson did that in a big way on Wednesday.
Image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
