An NFL fan’s worst nightmare is hearing that a player on their favorite team suffered a significant injury in a game or practice that doesn’t matter. Unfortunately for Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr, that’s precisely what happened. The injury occurred as a practice at Allegiant Stadium, where Johnson Jr. and Maxx Crosby collided when they were both attempting to tackle running back Raheem Mostert.
Lonnie Johnson Jr Will Assuredly Miss Some Time
The official diagnosis was a broken fibula. Lonnie Johnson Jr. is going to get an MRI to determine how much time he will miss, but the injury suggests he will be out for some time. This injury is going to provide some opportunities for safety Trey Taylor, who was listed as third on the Raiders’ SS depth chart. Taylor was selected in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft.
As far as play style goes, Johnson was brought into Las Vegas to provide some veteran depth. Now, veteran depth has gotten a bit smaller. With Lonnie Johnson Jr. out, what will the Raiders do? Does Jeremy Chinn get put in even more situations? Or will they see what Taylor brings to the table?
Hopefully The Injury Doesn’t keep Johnson Jr. Out Long
There’s still about a month before the NFL season starts, so there’s a chance that Lonnie Johnson Jr. could be available for the Raiders in the early weeks of the season. He had seven total tackles last season with the Carolina Panthers, so he can lay the hits when he needs to.
But he’s a second-string depth safety at best. The Raiders should be able to go a couple of weeks without him on the team and manage just fine. Who knows, maybe Taylor gets an opportunity and shines. But the Raiders will be just fine, but it limits their depth going into the season.
