Former Kentucky defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr claimed off waivers by Tennessee Titans

Shortly after being released from the Kansas City Chiefs this preseason, Lonnie Johnson Jr was claimed by the Tennessee Titans off waivers. The former Kentucky defensive back didn’t have to wait very long to find his next NFL destination, where he will work to play his fourth NFL season with Tennessee. The Chiefs made the somewhat surprising decision to cut Johnson earlier this week, opening the door for the Titans to claim him.

Lonnie Johnson claimed off waivers by Tennessee Titans

The Titans’ newest roster move was detailed by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Tuesday, as the former three-year player for the Houston Texas finds himself moving to a new team again.

Johnson entered the league as a second-round pick for the Texans in the 2019 NFL Draft, and appeared in 44 games over his first three seasons. He accumulated 128 solo tackles and three interceptions in Houston, and the Titans will look to him to bolster their own secondary now. In 2021, Johnson posted a career-best in completion rate allowed with 57.9 percent, and QB rating allowed at 76.6.

Tennessee is likely searching for depth after getting a good look at their secondary against the Baltimore Ravens in their first preseason game last week. Johnson will also be a good candidate to replace the depth lost when Buster Skrine retired from the Titans earlier this offseason.

Johnson made one of his biggest plays at the NFL level in Houston’s divisional playoff matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2019-20 season. The Texans jumped all over the Chiefs early in their game, putting Kansas City down 24-0 in the second quarter before they mounted a historic comeback. Johnson recovered a blocked punt during the game for a special teams touchdown to help build their lead — although they would ultimately lose 51-31 after seeing the Chiefs manage to take the lead back before halftime.