The Las Vegas Raiders experienced a setback during their training camp on Sunday as safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. suffered a broken fibula following a collision with teammate Maxx Crosby. This happened while Johnson was attempting to tackle running back Raheem Mostert. He was promptly carted off the field and is scheduled for an MRI to assess any further damage.
At 29 years old, Johnson has been in contention for a role within the Raiders’ secondary and was actively participating in drills, including receiving first-team repetitions in formations that utilized three safeties. His contributions alongside Isaiah Pola-Mao demonstrated his value during this training period.
Johnson, a former second-round draft pick, entered the NFL in 2019 with the Houston Texans. After a robust three-year spell in Houston, he played one season with Tennessee, New Orleans, and Carolina before signing with the Raiders this offseason. Notably, his standout year was in 2021 when he achieved a career-high of three interceptions over 14 games. In total, across 82 games and 20 starts in his career, Johnson has accumulated four interceptions, 15 passes defended, and one fumble recovery.
This injury marks a crucial juncture for the Raiders as they fine-tune their roster ahead of the upcoming season. It highlights the physical demands of training camp and serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of player health in professional football. As the team navigates the upcoming challenges, there is hope that Johnson’s recovery will be swift, allowing him the opportunity to contribute to the Raiders’ defense when the season commences.