HEADLINE

Well-traveled QB Johnson joins the Lions

Field Level Media

August 10, 2019 at 4:22 pm.

The Detroit Lions signed journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson on Saturday to compete for the backup role behind Matthew Stafford.

Johnson, 33, was 1-2 as a starter for the Washington Redskins last season, completing 52 of 91 passes for 590 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions.

The Lions gave the free agent a one-year deal after losing No. 2 quarterback Tom Savage to an apparent concussion in Thursday’s preseason opener against the New England Patriots.

A fifth-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2008, Johnson has passed for 1,632 yards, eight TDs and 14 picks in 33 career games with the Buccaneers (2009-11), Cleveland Browns (2012), Cincinnati Bengals (2013), San Francisco 49ers (2014) and Redskins.

Including stints on practice squads and offseason rosters, Johnson spent time with a dozen different NFL teams before joining the Lions.

He also played with the San Diego Fleet of the short-lived Alliance of American Football in 2018 and the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League in 2012.