Kansas City Chiefs announce Nazeeh Johnson suffered torn ACL

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Nazeeh Johnson suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season, the team confirmed Sunday. The injury occurred Saturday, not even a week after the Chiefs began training camp.

Johnson was competing in a 7-on-7 drill against receiver Richie James and got tangled up when James cut toward the sideline. He immediately fell to the ground and grabbed his right knee before trainers helped him off the field.

It’s a big blow for Johnson, who was getting ready to enter his second season after appearing in 14 contests (including playoffs) as a rookie. He finished 2022 with eight tackles as Kansas City won its second Super Bowl in the past four seasons.

Johnson was also a contributor on special teams this past season, and special teams coordinator Dave Toub described him as one of the team’s best gunners. Toub added that Johnson “really came on” toward the end of this past season, indicating he was poised for a big role in 2023 on special teams.

“He’s really developed over the year. It’s too bad that it happened,” coach Andy Reid told the Kansas City Star. “He’s got a good attitude about it. He’ll get back when he can get back.”

The Chiefs selected Nazeeh Johnson in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Marshall. He played a total of five seasons for the Thundering Herd, ending his college career with 302 tackles, seven interceptions, 19 passes defended, a sack and a forced fumble.

Chiefs add cornerback to roster following Nazeeh Johnson injury

Kansas City placed Johnson on injured reserve Sunday, along with linebacker Isaiah Moore. They signed a pair of players in response in cornerback Anthony Witherstone and tight end Izaiah Gathings.

Witherstone originally signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in out of Merrimack College in May. He was waived by the team on June 20, but the injury to Johnson opened up a chance for him to rejoin the roster.

Witherstone primarily played outside cornerback the past two seasons in college. He recorded three interceptions — including two returned for a touchdown — along with 10 passes defended. Now he’ll hope to prove himself in his first pro season.

Other than adding Witherstone, the Chiefs have several other players ready to step up at cornerback. L’Jarius Sneed recently returned to practice from injury, and second-year players Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson will also provide depth in light of the unfortunate news.