A 2019 mid-season waiver acquisition from Pittsburgh, the 6-6, 325-pound Johnson has displayed versatility in Cincinnati with starts at both G and OT ... Started two games at RG in 2020, along with one at ROT and three at LOT ... Bengals are 4-1 over his two seasons when he starts at one of the OT positions, and in those contests they've rushed for a combined 4.7 yards per carry and nine TDs while allowing just three total sacks ... Enters 2021 with 18 career games played and seven starts — four at LOT, two at RG and one at ROT ... Played four seasons (2015-18) at Florida, and saw time at both RG and RT.
Career transactions: Signed with Pittsburgh as college free agent on 5-2-19 ... Waived by Steelers on 10-11-19 ... Acquired by Cincinnati on waivers from Steelers on 10-14-19.
2020 highlights: Played in 12 games (six starts) ... Made two starts at RG (Games 2-3), one at ROT (Game 8) and three at LOT (Games 14-16) ... Spent Nov. 9-20 on Reserve/COVID-19 list, and missed Nov. 15 at Pittsburgh ... Inactive for Games 10-12 after returning for Reserve/COVID-19 ... Started at ROT on Nov. 1 vs. Tennessee, and aided blocking effort that helped Bengals gain a nearly 12-minute edge in time of possession (35:57-24:03) ... Started at LOT on Dec. 27 at Houston, and aided in protection effort for QB Brandon Allen's 371 passing yards and two TDs, along with 169 team rushing yards and a more than 12-minute edge in time of possession (36:10-23:50).
Previous seasons: 2019—Played in six games, with one start (all with Cincinnati) ... Originally a college free agent signee of Pittsburgh, where he was listed as a G ... Played in all four preseason games for Steelers and made Steelers' active roster out of training camp, but was inactive (coaches' decision) for Games 1-5 ... Waived by Steelers on Oct. 11, and acquired by Bengals on waivers on Oct. 14 ... Saw action in six of Cincinnati's final seven games ... Active DNP for Games 7-8, and inactive for Games 9 and 11 (all coaches' decisions) ... Made NFL debut on Nov. 17 at Oakland ... Saw increased time on offense in Bengals' final two contests ... Saw time as a reserve LOT late on Dec. 22 at Miami, and helped blocking effort for Cincinnati's 23-point fourth-quarter comeback ... Earned first career start (LOT) in season finale vs. Cleveland, and aided in blocking effort for HB Joe Mixon's career-high 162 rushing yards.
College: Spent four seasons (2015-18) at Florida ... Appeared in 44 career games, with 31 starts ... Switched between RG and RT throughout career.
Personal: Hometown is West Palm Beach, Fla. ... Attended Royal Palm Beach High School in West Palm Beach ... Described as a "late bloomer," his senior season was his first playing varsity football, and he helped lead team to Class 7A regional final ... Also lettered in prep basketball ... Nephew of former NBA all-star Otis Thorpe.
