New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson to undergo surgery on foot

The New Orleans Saints will be without starting tight end Juwan Johnson for a “while” after undergoing foot surgery next week, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. Though the former wide receiver will miss time in training camp and in the preseason, per Schefter’s sources, he could be ready to go by the time the regular season hits. The Saints open the 2024 regular season with a home game against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 8.

Johnson signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He played in 16 games for the Saints last year and recorded 37 catches for 368 yards and four touchdowns, finishing fifth on the team in receiving yards. Before the 2023 season, Johnson signed a two-year contract extension with the Saints.

After his first four seasons in the league, the former Ducks standout has posted 96 receptions in 50 games played for 1,074 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Johnson gearing up for Year 5

Johnson began his college career at Penn State but played his final season at Oregon. In his one year with the Ducks, Johnson caught 30 passes for 467 yards and four touchdowns. In his three seasons at Penn State, Johnson caught 81 passes for 1,123 yards and two touchdowns.

Though he left Oregon as a wide receiver, the Saints quickly moved the 6-foot-4, 230-pound pass-catcher to tight end. That led to an understandable adjustment period.

“The hardest thing [about tight end] is… understanding blocking and running concepts. I knew nothing about run concepts. What is a jab counter? What is a power?” Johnson told Fansided in February. “I had no idea. But, just me investing my time, learning the run schemes, that was the biggest thing for me. Passing? I could do whatever, you could put me at any position, I know what I’m doing. But, in terms of the run stuff… I had to take a long time and a lot of hard work to get to it.”

Saints tight end expecting second baby

Johnson is about to be a father again. Johnson and his wife Chanen went to social media in March to announce they are expecting their second baby together. The post includes the two posing for the camera while Chanen shows off her baby bump.

Johnson and Chanen welcomed their first baby daughter J’adore Blessing Johnson, in July 2023. In another Instagram post, the family is sitting down with J’adore in the middle wearing a sweater with the words “Big Sister” while Chanen is holding her ultrasound photos.

The couple met while attending Penn State and got married in 2020. After the couple welcomed J’adore last year, Johnson went to Instagram to share his reaction to being a father after his wife was told she wouldn’t be able to conceive.

On3’s Brian Jones contributed to this report.