Former Bengals DE Raymond Johnson has signed with the Detroit Lions practice squad.
Johnson spent last season on the Bengals practice squad, and was a preseason standout this year. With 5 essential roster locks sitting above him on the depth chart heading into camp, his odds of making the team were unlikely. However, many felt that his performance should have pushed the team to keep 6 DE’s on the roster.
The Bengals waived him, and he somewhat surprisingly cleared waivers. Yesterday, Cincinnati added 15 players to their practice squad, with one spot remaining open, and Johnson still available.
The assumption was that Johnson was looking for a roster spot somewhere else, and that he would return to the Bengals practice squad if he couldn’t get one. But we now know this was not the case.
Johnson signing in Detroit to their practice squad signals that he was looking for a better opportunity to see the field. With 5 DE’s ahead of him in Cincinnati, a lot would have needed to happen for him to get some playing time at all this year. In Detroit, it seems he has a better path to potentially working his way up the depth chart.
As it stands, the Bengals still have one spot open on the practice squad. DE Owen Carney makes sense, as he had a solid preseason. They could also decide to keep Drue Chrisman around, or even bring in someone new to the organization. Either way, I would expect that spot to be filled shortly.
Featured Image Via: Eli Marshall