Johnson and the Saints agreed to terms Tuesday on a three-year, $30.75 million contract, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The initial report suggests the deal maxes out at $34.5 million and includes $21.25 million guaranteed. It looks like an overpay relative to other tight ends with similar receiving production, especially when considering how little Johnson offers as a blocker. A weak free-agent class may have been a factor, as Johnson would've been one of the better options amongst a weak crop if the Saints hadn't locked him up before he hit the open market. The 28-year-old averaged 2.6-2.8 receptions and 28-33 receiving yards per game each of the past three seasons, buoyed by strong finishes in 2023 and 2024 after not doing much for most of the year.
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Johnson and the Saints agreed to terms Tuesday on a three-year, $30.75 million contract, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The initial report suggests the deal maxes out at $34.5 million and includes $21.25 million guaranteed. It looks like an overpay relative to other tight ends with similar receiving production, especially when considering how little Johnson offers as a blocker. A weak free-agent class may have been a factor, as Johnson would've been one of the better options amongst a weak crop if the Saints hadn't locked him up before he hit the open market. The 28-year-old averaged 2.6-2.8 receptions and 28-33 receiving yards per game each of the past three seasons, buoyed by strong finishes in 2023 and 2024 after not doing much for most of the year.
Johnson notched six receptions (on seven targets) for 80 yards during Sunday's 27-19 loss to the Buccaneers. Johnson recorded a season high in yards, and he logged a season-high six receptions for the second week in a row. He and fellow tight end Foster Moreau (knee) saw increased production over the final two weeks, as rookie Spencer Rattler started in place of injured quarterback Derek Carr (hand). New Orleans was also without starting running back Alvin Kamara (groin) and wideouts Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) for the final three weeks. Johnson finishes the 2024 campaign with 50 catches for 548 yards and three touchdowns over 17 games. These marks represent his new career highs for receptions and yards, as he just surpassed his numbers from 2022 when he played 16 regular-season games. Johnson signed a one-year, $5.2 million contract with the Saints last July, and it's unclear if the team will re-sign him once again this coming offseason.
Johnson (knee) is active for Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Buccaneers. The veteran tight end practiced in limited fashion throughout the week, but Johnson, who's also played through a foot injury recently, will suit up for Sunday's regular-season finale. Johnson enters the divisional clash against the Buccaneers already sporting a new career high in receptions (44) and is coming off a game in which he produced a season-best 6-66 line on 10 targets against the Raiders in Week 17 while working with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who'll once again be under center Sunday in place of Derek Carr (hand).
Johnson (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports. Johnson swapped out a lingering foot issue for a knee injury this week, which resulted in limited listings on all three practice reports. His status for Week 18 will be clarified about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, and if he's able to suit up, he likely will continue to split TE reps with Foster Moreau. Since Taysom Hill was lost for the season due to a torn ACL, Johnson has put up a 14-155-1 line on 20 targets over the last four games, while Moreau (11-159-2 line on 14 targets) has nearly matched his output.
Johnson (knee) practiced on a limited basis Thursday. Johnson maintained his activity level from one day prior, giving him just one more opportunity to return to full participation Friday, or else risk heading into the weekend with a designation ahead of Sunday's contest at Tampa Bay. He's been splitting TE reps with Foster Moreau over the last four games since Taysom Hill was lost for the season due to a torn ACL, and Johnson has compiled a 14-155-1 line on 20 targets during that span.
Johnson (knee) was limited at Wednesday's practice. Prior to each of the previous four games, Johnson endured some practice restrictions due to a foot issue. Now, though, he's dealing with a knee injury, clouding his availability ahead of Sunday's contest at Tampa Bay. As a result, Johnson's status will be watched as the week goes on to get a sense of his potential to play this weekend.
Johnson caught six of 10 targets for 66 yards in Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Raiders. He led the Saints in receptions, targets and yardage, but it was fellow tight end Foster Moreau who was on the other end of Spencer Rattler's only TD pass of the day. It was the first time all season Johnson has seen double-digit targets, and with New Orleans' wide receiver corps gutted by injuries, the team's TEs figure to be busy again in Week 18 against the Buccaneers.
Johnson (foot) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Raiders. Johnson upgraded to full practice participation Friday following a pair of capped sessions, which helped him avoid an injury designation. He'll work as a security blanket for rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, though that hasn't been a fruitful role, as Johnson has posted 50 receiving yards or fewer in every game this season.
Johnson (foot) was a limited practice participant Thursday. Johnson had his reps capped for the second day in a row as he continues to work through a foot issue that has resulted in the Saints listing him on injury reports for four consecutive weeks. He's managed to play in each of the previous three contests, and assuming he's experiencing no setbacks during his Week 17 prep, he should be ready to play Sunday against the Raiders. Even though he's played at least two-thirds of the offensive snaps in every game since the Saints' Week 12 bye, his fantasy prospects have taken a hit while Derek Carr (hand) has been out of the lineup the past two contests. Carr hasn't been officially ruled out for the Week 17 matchup with the Raiders but doesn't appear to be trending toward playing, likely putting Johnson on track to work with Spencer Rattler as his quarterback for at least one more game.