Johnson joined the Bills during training camp and was originally one of the team’s final cuts but was immediately invited back to the practice squad. He lingered there until October, when he was promoted to the active roster after fellow AFC East acquisition Damien Harris went down with a season-ending injury.
Over the final 10 games, Johnson became a reliable depth star, picking up 192 yards on 37 touches. Buffalo granted Johnson some revenge when it faced the Jets on Nov. 19: Johnson earned 47 yards on three receptions, including one that went for a 28-yard score that served as the turning point in a 32-6 victory. Johnson later earned eight touches amassing 54 yards in the AFC Divisional playoff loss to Kansas City. Three of his eight touches picked up first downs and two others yielded a fresh set on the very next play.
With Harris a free agent, Johnson appears to be ready for a battle with Darrynton Evans for the right to spell James Cook come next training camp. Next year will be his sixth in the NFL after originally entering as a sixth-round pick of Detroit’s in 2019.
