After an ugly performance in their preseason opener against the Denver Broncos last week, the Atlanta Falcons put together a much better outing against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, as they picked up a 34-6 victory. Undrafted rookie quarterback Jack Strand was the star of the show, as he carved up the Colts’ defense for 212 yards and a touchdown in the air, while also rushing for 22 yards and another score on the ground.
It’s tough to put too much weight into preseason games, but Atlanta dominated Indianapolis from the opening whistle in this one. As if that wasn’t bad enough, before the game even started, the Falcons actually went out and signed one of the Colts’ former players in an effort to reinforce their defensive line.
Falcons Sign Former Colts Defensive Tackle Eric Johnson II
All eyes have been on the Falcons’ quarterback battle throughout training camp, but other areas of the roster need help, too. With one of their interior defensive linemen, Anterio Thompson, remaining on the non-football injury list, the front office decided the team needed some more help at this position.
That led them to make a move for veteran defensive tackle Eric Johnson II. A fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Johnson began his career with the Colts, spending the first two seasons of his career with them. After one year with the New England Patriots, Johnson returned to Indianapolis last season, racking up six tackles in 12 games.
While he’s appeared in 51 games throughout his career, Johnson doesn’t have many counting stats to his name, as he has picked up just 41 tackles and one sack. Used primarily as a stout run defender, though, Johnson does the dirty work at the middle of the defensive line that helps open things up for his teammates. With Falcons defensive line coach Nate Ollie having experience working with Johnson, the team decided to scoop him up in free agency.
“The Atlanta Falcons have signed defensive tackle Eric Johnson II,” Tori McElhaney reported on the team’s official website. “The 6-foot-4, 320 pound tackle reunites with current Falcons defensive line coach, Nate Ollie. The two first crossed paths in 2022 when Johnson was taken in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts where Ollie had just been hired as the defensive line coach. Both men spent the 2022 and 2023 season together in Indianapolis.”
Falcons Shore Up Defensive Line Depth With Eric Johnson II Signing
GettyThe Falcons have signed former Colts defensive tackle Eric Johnson II in free agency
At this stage of training camp, teams are typically beginning to plot out their upcoming roster cuts, but the Falcons bucked that trend and decided to sign Johnson. His odds of sticking with the team are certainly long given the timing of this move, but his experience with Ollie at least gives him something that will be working in his favor as he joins this team.
There’s no guarantee that the aforementioned Thompson was even going to make the team, but his extended absence led the Falcons to decide they needed some more help at this spot. Whether Johnson ends up sticking around past training camp is unknown, but he’s a new face that will be worth keeping tabs on in the wake of Atlanta’s win over his former team.
Falcons Sign 320-Pound Defensive Tackle Before Colts Preseason Game