Nazeeh Johnson Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Texans vs Chiefs game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Aug 27, 2025
Moves to IR, designated to return
Johnson (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a designation to return.
ANALYSIS
Johnson suffered a shoulder injury in the Chiefs' second preseason game against the Seahawks. By being placed on injured reserve with a designation to return, the 27-year-old cornerback will be required to miss at least the first four games of the 2025 campaign. Johnson will likely return to his rotational role in Kansas City's defensive backfield once he's healthy.
Aug 15, 2025
Exits with shoulder issue Friday
Johnson has been ruled out from returning to Friday's preseason game against Seattle due to a shoulder injury.
ANALYSIS
Johnson headed to the locker room late in the first half and was quickly ruled by Kansas City. Prior to his exit, the cornerback tallied two tackles and a defensed pass. Johnson is slated for a depth role in the Chiefs secondary this season.
Mar 28, 2025
Back with Kansas City
The Chiefs re-signed Johnson on Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Johnson, a 2022 seventh-round pick, appeared in 16 regular-season games with Kansas City in 2024, logging six starts and totaling 56 tackles (33 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and three pass breakups. His re-signing primes Johnson to reprise a familiar rotational role on defense, while also remaining a key contributor on special teams.
Feb 13, 2025
Sees more action in 2024
Johnson finished the regular season with 56 tackles (33 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and three pass breakups across 16 games and six starts.
ANALYSIS
The 2022 seventh-round pick, who missed 2023 with a torn ACL and barely played as a rookie, saw extended action when Jaylen Watson was out for 11 games with a fractured fibula-tibia. Even with Watson back, Johnson played on 51 defensive snaps in the Chiefs' first two playoff games, though he did not see action in the Super Bowl. Johnson will be a restricted free agent this offseason, meaning Kansas City can match any offer from another team.
Nov 25, 2024
Leads Chiefs in tackles Sunday
Johnson recorded eight tackles (five solo) and a pass defensed during Sunday's 30-27 win at Carolina.
ANALYSIS
Johnson played nearly all of Kansas City's defensive snaps in Week 12, and he posted eight-plus tackles for the third week straight. If he plays a similarly-significant role in Week 13 versus the Raiders, he'll project as a good IDP play in most formats.
Nov 18, 2024
Makes eight tackles in loss
Johnson recorded eight tackles (five solo) in Sunday's 30-21 loss to the Bills.
ANALYSIS
The cornerback also played on all 71 defensive snaps. Johnson played on 91 percent of the defensive snaps in Kansas City's Week 10 win over the Broncos, and he now has 18 tackles (11 solo) over those last two contests. The 2022 seventh-round pick will try to continue solidifying his place as the Chiefs' starting right corner opposite Trent McDuffie in Week 12 against the Panthers.
Nov 11, 2024
Career-high in tackles Sunday
Johnson recorded 10 total tackles (six solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Sunday's 16-14 win over the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
Johnson not only led the Chiefs in total tackles in Sunday's win, but he also doubled his previous career high for tackles in a single game (five). The Marshall product tallied the first sack of his young career as well, bringing down Bo Nix for a 17-yard loss in the first quarter. Expect Johnson to continue starting opposite Trent McDuffie as one of the Chiefs' top outside cornerbacks, especially after Sunday's performance.
Nov 8, 2024
Ready to rock
Johnson (concussion) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
Johnson missed Kansas City's Week 9 win over the Buccaneers due to a concussion sustained the week prior. However, the third-year pro was a full participant in practice throughout the week and has passed through the NFL's five-step protocol in time to play Sunday. Expect Johnson to serve as one of the Chiefs' top outside corners in Week 10.
Nov 6, 2024
Opens week with full practice
Johnson (concussion) was a full practice participant Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Johnson missed Monday's game against the Buccaneers due to a concussion he suffered in Week 8 against the Raiders. His ability to practice in full Wednesday is a sign that the 2022 seventh-round pick is trending towards playing Sunday against the Broncos, but he'll need to clear the league's five-step concussion protocols before being able to return. Across seven regular-season games, Johnson has logged 14 tackles (six solo).
Nov 2, 2024
Won't play Monday
Johnson (concussion) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's game against the Buccaneers.
ANALYSIS
Johnson was diagnosed with a concussion during the Chiefs' Week 8 win over the Raiders. He was able to end the week with consecutive limited practices, but the 2022 seventh-round pick has been unable to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocols. Johnson's next chance at suiting up will be Week 10 against Denver on Sunday, Nov. 10. Joshua Williams is the top candidate to start at corner Monday alongside Trent McDuffie.
Nov 1, 2024
Limited practice Friday
Johnson (concussion) was a limited participant at Kansas City's practice Friday.
ANALYSIS
Johnson suffered a concussion in the team's Week 8 win over the Raiders, opening the week as a non-participant at practice Thursday. The cornerback's participation Friday is a step in the right direction, but he will still have to clear concussion protocol ahead of Monday's matchup with the Buccaneers in order to play.
Oct 31, 2024
Won't practice Thursday
Johnson (concussion) is not participating in Thursday's practice, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Johnson, who was placed in the concussion protocol during Kansas City's win over the Raiders in Week 8, will need to gain full clearance in order to be eligible for Monday's contest against the Buccaneers. In order to foster optimism about his chances of playing Week 9, Johnson will likely have to upgrade to non-contact practice activity by Friday.
Oct 27, 2024
Won't return vs. Raiders
Johnson (concussion) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Johnson will remain in the league's concussion protocols, which he'll have to clear in order to play in the Chiefs' Week 9 game against the Buccaneers on Monday, Nov. 4. He'll end Sunday's game with five tackles (two solo), and Joshua Williams and Keith Taylor are candidates to see increased snaps with the first-team defense opposite starting corner Trent McDuffie.
Oct 27, 2024
Enters concussion protocols
Johnson has entered concussion protocols and is questionable to return to Sunday's game against Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Johnson suffered a head injury in the second quarter of Sunday's game. While he's sidelined, Keith Taylor is the top candidate to see more snaps at corner with the Chiefs' first-team defense.
Sep 2, 2024
Ready for Week 1
Johnson (hamstring) was listed as a full participant during practice Monday and is not on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Ravens, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Johnson nursed a hamstring injury during training camp while also continuing his recovery from a torn ACL suffered last season. The Marshall product hasn't suited up since 2022 when he appeared in 11 regular-season games and only contributed on special teams. He'll likely have a similar role this season, barring injuries to the Chiefs' secondary.
Aug 19, 2024
Dealing with hamstring injury
Johnson missed practice Monday due to a hamstring issue, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Johnson logged 28 defensive snaps along with seven special-teams snaps in Saturday's preseason loss to Detroit without recording any stats. He's likely to make the 53-man roster as a backup corner and special-teams player if he's able to get healthy. It's not yet clear how severe the hamstring issue is or whether Johnson will be able to play in Kansas City's final exhibition contest Thursday versus Chicago.
Aug 4, 2024
Back at practice Sunday
Johnson (knee) is taking part in practice Sunday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Johnson tore his ACL last July and tweaked the same knee last week, but it appears he has avoided a serious setback. As such, he'll continue to get reps in camp as he looks to secure the starting spot at right corner for the Chiefs.
Jul 31, 2024
Misses Wednesday's practice
Johnson (knee) wasn't practicing Wednesday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Johnson, who tore his right ACL in July of last year, tweaked the same knee earlier in the week and could continue to miss time with the issue. The Marshall product has an opportunity to be one of Kansas City's top cornerbacks in 2024, with L'Jarius Sneed leaving the Chiefs this offseason. Expect Ekow Boye-Doe and Miles Battle to see more reps with Kansas City's first-team defense with Johnson missing time.
Jul 28, 2024
No pads or helmet Sunday
Head coach Andy Reid said Sunday that Johnson did not suit up in pads Sunday after tweaking his right knee, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.
ANALYSIS
It's the same knee that Johnson underwent surgery for a torn ACL in July of 2023. Johnson's health during training camp will play a big part in whether he can earn a starting spot at corner, a role that was vacated after the Chiefs traded L'Jarius Sneed to the Titans in March. Johnson played in 11 regular-season games in his rookie campaign in 2022, registering eight tackles (five solo) while playing 96 snaps on special teams.
Jul 26, 2024
Suiting up for practice
Johnson (knee) participated during the first day of padded practice Friday, PJ Green of Fox4 News Kansas City reports.
ANALYSIS
Johnson was recovering from a torn ACL as recently as Wednesday, but he now appears to be back at or near full speed. After the Chiefs lost L'Jarius Sneed during free agency, there could be some competition at camp for boundary reps at corner this season.
Jul 24, 2024
Dealing with knee injury
Johnson is nursing a right knee injury at training camp with Kansas City, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Johnson missed the entirety of the 2023 season while recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee and it's unclear if he's dealing with an injury related to that or not. Kansas City will begin its preseason action Aug. 10 against the Jaguars and the cornerback will set his sights on being ready to go for that contest.
Jul 24, 2024
Getting first-team reps
Johnson (knee) was spotted working with the Chiefs' first-team defense Wednesday, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.
ANALYSIS
Johnson missed all of Kansas City's 2023 campaign due to a torn ACL, but it now seems as if he's moved past the issue. The 2022 seventh-round pick has played no defensive snaps across his 11 games in the NFL, but with the departure of L'Jarius Sneed this offseason, Johnson could be thrust into the mix as a starting or rotational cornerback for the Chiefs in 2024.
Jun 7, 2024
Participating in OTAs
Johnson (knee) is participating in the Chiefs' organized team activities, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Mack has been starting at center to kick off the season with Brittney Griner (toe) sidelined. However, the latter will be making her season debut Friday, which means Mack will come off the bench. As a result, she figures to see a somewhat lighter workload.
Apr 9, 2024
Pens ERFA contract
Johnson (knee) signed his contract with the Chiefs as a exclusive rights free agent Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Johnson spent the entire 2023 campaign on injured reserve due to a torn ACL. He contributed exclusively on special teams as a rookie back in 2022, and prior to tearing his ACL it was expected that Johnson would get a chance to compete for expanded defensive opportunities. If his recovery concludes without any setbacks, Johnson could pick up where he left off this offseason.
Jul 30, 2023
Placed on IR
Johnson (knee - ACL) was placed on injured reserve by the Chiefs on Sunday, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.
ANALYSIS
Johnson was making significant progress up the cornerback depth chart after playing exclusively on special teams last season. Now placed on injured reserve, the 2022 seventh-round draft pick out of Marshall will miss the entire 2023 season.
Jul 30, 2023
Sits out practice
Johnson (knee) did not participate in practice Sunday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Johnson's injury details are unknown, but the second-year-pro will be sidelined until he has recovered. Selected in the seventh round of the 2022 draft, Johnson only appeared on special teams during his rookie season. Once recovered, Johnson will continue to work to earn a role in Kansas City's secondary.
Apr 30, 2022
Headed to Kansas City
The Chiefs selected Johnson in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 259th overall.
ANALYSIS
Can you tell the Chiefs wanted to improve their cornerback personnel? Johnson is the fourth cornerback they selected in the 2022 Draft after Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson. Johnson, out of Marshall, is the most athletic of any of them, boasting a 4.38-second 40, 42-inch vertical jump and 129-inch broad jump at 5-foot-10, 199 pounds. With short arms, it's possible Johnson will focus on slot snaps rather than serving as a boundary corner.
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