The Baltimore Ravens have signed a quarterback to their active roster with Lamar Jackson’s status for Sunday uncertain adding veteran Josh Johnson from the New York Jets.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh spoke to the media on Sunday and revealed that the Ravens had signed Johnson off the team’s practice squad.
Johnson was actually one of six quarterbacks we listed as a potential addition for the Ravens when Jackson originally went down this past weekend, and he was my personal favorite target.
The 35-year-old has had a long and storied football career featuring stints with 13 different NFL teams, three different independent leagues, and multiple stints with five other NFL franchises.
The Ravens are now one of those five franchises.
Josh Johnson gives the Ravens extra depth with Lamar Jackson’s injury
Johnson previously spent the summer of 2016 with the Ravens where he competed with Ryan Mallett for the backup quarterback job. Despite a strong showing, Johnson was released as part of final roster cuts.
A former fifth-round pick, Johnson appeared in three games for the Jets in 2021 playing significant snaps in one game. And, to his credit, he looked very good in that one game.
Johnson finished 27-of-41 for 317 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception completing over 65 percent of his passes. The Jets didn’t win, but Johnson proved that he can still play.
The Ravens will still likely rely on Tyler Huntley if Jackson is forced to miss Sunday’s game, although it seems likely that Johnson would be the backup over Chris Streveler, who is on the practice squad, seeing as he’s on the active roster.
Head coach John Harbaugh announced that Jackson would not practice on Wednesday, but that his status remains day-to-day. Still, that doesn’t bode well for his chances of starting on Sunday.
At the very least, the Ravens have added some quality veteran depth in the form of Josh Johnson. Of course, the hope is still that Lamar Jackson will be able to play.
But at least now the team has a reliable Plan B and C.