The New York Jets added a veteran signal-caller to their young quarterback room.
Gang Green signed Josh Johnson, the quarterback's agent Doug Hendrickson announced. The team later confirmed the news.
The 35-year-old last played an NFL regular-season game in 2018 with Washington. A former fifth-round pick in 2008 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Johnson spent time in 2020 on the San Francisco 49ers practice squad after playing in the XFL. Johnson has bounced around the NFL, changing teams 17 times since entering the league. He previously was on the Jets roster for 10 days in 2015.
The journeyman quarterback joins a youthful Jets QB room led by first-round rookie Zach Wilson, 2020 fourth-rounder James Morgan and 26-year-old Mike White. Johnson brings a needed veteran presence to New York to help tutor Wilson on the field and in the film room.
In a corresponding move, the Jets waived linebacker Brendon White.
Rookie offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker is day to day with a strained right pectoral muscle, per coach Robert Saleh. Defensive end Jabari Zuniga has an ankle issue while OL Chuma Edoga (knee) will likely out a little longer.
Elsewhere around the NFL on Wednesday:
- NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said Wednesday to media members that the league will remain flexible and adaptable with COVID-19 protocols, but was adamant there were no current plans to bring back daily testing of vaccinated individuals, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. Sills said that he and everyone in the medical community are concerned about the Delta variant of COVID-19, in particular among unvaccinated players. He added the NFL is gathering unique info with large-scale testing of vaccinated, asymptomatic people along with detailed contact tracing that the league plans to share with the Centers for Disease Control, per Pelissero. The league has seen positive tests among vaccinated individuals, but Sills said many have been asymptomatic with the rest showing mild symptoms.
To view the full memo sent out by the NFL Players Association Wednesday and obtained by Pelissero, click here. The NFLPA is seeking daily testing for players regardless of vaccination status.
- The Las Vegas Raiders hosted veteran defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and the six-time Pro Bowler signed a deal, the team announced. McCoy, 33, has spent the past year rehabbing after suffering a ruptured quadriceps in August as a member of the Cowboys. McCoy last played for the Panthers in 2019, starting all 16 games and tallying 37 tackles, five sacks and 13 QB hits. The Raiders also signed free-agent offensive lineman Jeremiah Poutasi.
- New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay suffered a slight hamstring pull in Tuesday's practice, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Giants head coach Joe Judge told reporters Wednesday that it appears they avoided a "worst-case" scenario with Golladay. Offensive lineman Joe Looney, who signed with New York on July 31, is retiring, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. Also, the team signed quarterback-turned-tight end Tommy Stevens and receiver Andy Jones. Giants tight end Levine Toilolo tore his Achilles at the team's Wednesday night practice, NFL Network's Kim Jones reported, per the team. Heading into his ninth season and second with the Giants, Toilolo started two games last year for New York, which is his fourth franchise.
- Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer expects quarterback Kirk Cousins (reserve/COVID-19 list) back at practice Thursday.
- Tennessee Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan said Wednesday, "I definitely feel like I am back to my normal self, if not a little bit better." Still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last October, Lewan told reporters "things are going good" with his rehab. Lewan, who's started 85 of his 90 career appearances, added that the team is bringing him along slowly with individual drills and occassional reps but he believes "barring anything, there's going to be no issues. Week 1 is not going to be a problem."
- The Buffalo Bills are signing veteran offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch, Rapoport reported. Previously with the Patriots, the versatile OL remains in the AFC East. Benenoch spent the first three seasons of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- The Chicago Bears are signing veteran linebacker Alec Ogletree, per Garafolo. The team later announced the move. Ogletree, 29, appeared in two games for the Jets last season before being released in October. Nose tackle Eddie Goldman, LB Christian Jones, long snapper Patrick Scales and offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson were added to the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- New Orleans Saints cornerback Keith Washington was placed on injured reserve after suffering a wrist injury in Tuesday's practice, coach Sean Payton announced. Payton added that Washington's injury isn't necessarily season-ending. The Saints officially announced the signing of linebacker Kwon Alexander. The team is also signing former Washington cornerback Adonis Alexander, per his agent Andy Ross.
- The Los Angeles Rams waived injured guard Jamil Demby and signed G Jeremiah Kolone.
- Indianapolis Colts All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson is aiming for a Week 1 return after undergoing foot surgery on Tuesday.
- The Philadelphia Eagles have activated safety Andrew Adams from the reserve/COVID list and waived injured defensive back Nathan Meadors, the team announced.
- Carolina Panthers wide receiver Keith Kirkwood, who suffered a concussion on Tuesday, returned to the practice field donning a red jersey. The Panthers waived J.T. Ibe as a result of what coach Matt Rhule called an "unacceptable" hit on Kirkwood. The team also signed defensive back Doug Middleton and waived running back Mason Stokke.
- Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters receiver A.J. Green is dealing with a "minor thing." While not specifying what the injury is, Kingsbury added that Green will be back in the near future but probably not this week. The Cardinals announced the signing of tackle Ryan Pope.
- The Baltimore Ravens have signed wide receiver Michael Dereus and defensive end Chauncey Rivers, the team announced.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers announced defensive back DeMarkus Acy and offensive tackle Anthony Coyle have been placed on the waived/injured list. Acy suffered a torn ACL in Tuesday's practice.
- The Green Bay Packers announced the signing of defensive lineman Josh Avery and that they had activated linebacker Ray Wilborn from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- The Detroit Lions have released outside linebacker Reggie Gilbert, the team announced.
- Kansas City Chiefs running back Darwin Thompson has been activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list.
- The Denver Broncos waived injured offensive tackle Cody Conway and signed defensive back Saivion Smith.
- The San Francisco 49ers signed tight end Josh Perkins and cornerback B.W. Webb to one-year deals and waived injured CB Tim Harris Jr. and TE Josh Pederson in corresponding moves.
