The Los Angeles Rams‘ Week 15 opponent might be looking to bring in someone to face his former team.
After starting safety Brian Branch sustained a season-ending Achilles injury, the Detroit Lions hosted ex-Rams defensive back John Johnson for a visit on Monday, according to the transaction wire (h/t Jeremy Reisman). It’s unclear if the Lions plan to sign Johnson, though, especially after the team signed safety Damontae Kazee that day.
Either way, Johnson has a very close connection to the Lions for a few reasons. Lions general manager Brad Holmes was on Les Snead’s staff with the Rams when Johnson was drafted in 2027. Holmes also reportedly tried to sign Johnson in 2021 before he eventually signed with the Cleveland Browns.
Johnson, who will be 30 on December 19, spent his first four seasons with the Rams before he signed with the Browns. He returned to the Rams in 2023, where he started eight of 17 games, and played two games in 2024. Johnson was suspended for the first three games of the 2025 season but hasn’t played for a team this season.
The Lions need secondary help with their swathe of injuries. Even if Johnson isn’t a starting-caliber player, he could provide interesting intel for Detroit in their match with the L.A. this week. Johnson has 562 combined tackles and 15 interceptions in 105 career games.