Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. suffered a significant injury during Saturday’s practice at Allegiant Stadium, breaking his fibula after a collision with teammate Maxx Crosby. The incident occurred while Johnson was attempting to tackle running back Raheem Mostert. He was carted off the field, and further evaluation, including an MRI, will determine if there is any additional damage beyond the broken bone.
Johnson has been competing for a rotational role in the Raiders’ secondary during training camp. Although a projected backup, he has seen action with the first-team defense when three safeties are on the field.
In this configuration, Johnson and Isaiah Pola-Mao took the main safety positions, while Jeremy Chinn played in the nickel role. His performance in this setup suggested he was being seriously considered for a meaningful role this season.
Lonnie Johnson Jr. (NFL)Raiders Reshape Secondary with New Signings, Including Veteran Safety Lonnie Johnson Jr.
This offseason, Johnson signed a one-year contract with the Raiders as part of a restructured safety group. His addition, along with Jeremy Chinn’s, followed the departure of starting safeties Tre’von Moehrig and Marcus Epps. The team also added veteran Jamal Adams, who has since been converted into a weakside linebacker, further signaling a shift in the team’s defensive strategy and personnel usage.
Originally drafted in the second round by the Houston Texans in 2019, Johnson has played for five teams over his six-year NFL career. Throughout 83 games, he has recorded 199 tackles, 15 passes defended, and four interceptions. His experience and versatility were expected to contribute to the Raiders’ secondary depth, making his injury a potential setback for the team’s defensive plans.
