Johnson is back with the Saints this season after signing a three-year, $30.8 million deal in March, including $21.3 million guaranteed. The financial commitment to Johnson, 28, suggests he will continue to have a prominent role on offense, and he's worth a late-round flier in deeper formats, especially tight-end premium leagues. He closed 2024 on a high note with at least 12 PPR points in four of his final seven games, and hopefully, he'll stay hot coming into this season. The negative for Johnson is potential poor quarterback play in New Orleans with Derek Carr retired, leaving the Saints with rookie Tyler Shough or second-year Spencer Rattler as the starter, which isn't ideal. Johnson could emerge as a weekly starter during the season in all leagues, so keep an eye on his production early in the year and then add him off the waiver wire if he's playing well.
Saints' Juwan Johnson: Suits up for preseason loss
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Johnson (groin) played with the first-team offense during New Orleans' 27-13 preseason loss to the Chargers on Sunday.
Johnson didn't tally a counting stat while suiting up for just nine offensive snaps Sunday, but his participation serves as confirmation that he's recovered from the groin injury that sidelined him for roughly one week of training camp. As things currently stand in the Saints' tight end corps, with both Taysom Hill (knee) and Foster Moreau (knee) still on the active/PUP list, Johnson is operating as the team's No. 1 option at the position without much competition for touches.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Another practice logged
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Johnson (groin) took part in Thursday's practice, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
After being sidelined for about one week due to a minor groin injury, Johnson has been able to log some activity in back-to-back sessions, but it's unclear if he's back to 100 percent just yet. With fellow TEs Taysom Hill (knee) and Foster Moreau (knee) still on the active/PUP list, Johnson would be the Saints' top option at the position for Sunday's preseason contest against the Chargers, assuming he's cleared to suit up.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Gets in limited practice
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Johnson (groin) is practicing in a limited fashion Tuesday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Per Patrick McAvoy of SI.com, Johnson is working his way back from a minor groin injury sustained during practice last Wednesday. The tight end's status for the Saints' preseason opener against the Chargers on Sunday remains uncertain. With Taysom Hill (knee) and Foster Moreau (knee) both recovering from knee procedures and on the active/PUP list, Johnson has a clear path to establish himself as the No. 1 option at tight end for New Orleans once he's past his own health issue.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Participates in individual drills
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Johnson (undisclosed) took part in individual drills at Thursday's practice, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Johnson returning as at least a limited participant Thursday lends optimism to the notion that the undisclosed injury he sustained Tuesday or Wednesday is indeed minor, and shouldn't hamper him for more than a few days. The 28-year-old veteran has surpassed 500 receiving yards in two of the last three seasons and is currently positioned as New Orleans' clear top tight end, with positional mates Taysom Hill (knee) and Foster Moreau (knee) on the active/PUP list. A quick return to team reps will be beneficial for Johnson, as he works to establish chemistry with QBs Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.
Johnson is expected to miss only a few days after suffering an undisclosed injury during Saints training camp, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Coach Kellen Moore wouldn't clarify whether Johnson's health concern occurred Tuesday or Wednesday, but the Saints should have some clarity Thursday once testing has been undertaken, per John Sigler of USA Today. Underhill's report indicates Johnson avoided anything significant, but with fellow TEs Taysom Hill (knee) and Foster Moreau (knee) on the active/PUP list, holding Johnson out of drills until he's healthy likely is a prudent approach.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Picks up undisclosed injury
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Johnson (undisclosed) sustained an injury during training camp practices this week, John Sigler of USA Today reports.
Saints head coach Kellen Moore declined to confirm whether Johnson's undisclosed injury occurred Wednesday or Tuesday, when New Orleans held a walkthrough before a team outing, but he said an update on the veteran tight end's health will arrive Thursday after testing is complete. Johnson, who re-signed on a three-year, $30.75 million deal this offseason, has operated as the Saints' top tight end through the early portion of training camp, with Taysom Hill (knee) and Foster Moreau (knee) both on the PUP list.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Re-signs for three years
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Johnson and the Saints agreed to terms Tuesday on a three-year, $30.75 million contract, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The initial report suggests the deal maxes out at $34.5 million and includes $21.25 million guaranteed. It looks like an overpay relative to other tight ends with similar receiving production, especially when considering how little Johnson offers as a blocker. A weak free-agent class may have been a factor, as Johnson would've been one of the better options amongst a weak crop if the Saints hadn't locked him up before he hit the open market. The 28-year-old averaged 2.6-2.8 receptions and 28-33 receiving yards per game each of the past three seasons, buoyed by strong finishes in 2023 and 2024 after not doing much for most of the year.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Logs six catches Week 18
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Johnson notched six receptions (on seven targets) for 80 yards during Sunday's 27-19 loss to the Buccaneers.
Johnson recorded a season high in yards, and he logged a season-high six receptions for the second week in a row. He and fellow tight end Foster Moreau (knee) saw increased production over the final two weeks, as rookie Spencer Rattler started in place of injured quarterback Derek Carr (hand). New Orleans was also without starting running back Alvin Kamara (groin) and wideouts Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) for the final three weeks. Johnson finishes the 2024 campaign with 50 catches for 548 yards and three touchdowns over 17 games. These marks represent his new career highs for receptions and yards, as he just surpassed his numbers from 2022 when he played 16 regular-season games. Johnson signed a one-year, $5.2 million contract with the Saints last July, and it's unclear if the team will re-sign him once again this coming offseason.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Active for Week 18
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Johnson (knee) is active for Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Buccaneers.
The veteran tight end practiced in limited fashion throughout the week, but Johnson, who's also played through a foot injury recently, will suit up for Sunday's regular-season finale. Johnson enters the divisional clash against the Buccaneers already sporting a new career high in receptions (44) and is coming off a game in which he produced a season-best 6-66 line on 10 targets against the Raiders in Week 17 while working with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who'll once again be under center Sunday in place of Derek Carr (hand).
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Week 18 Waiver Priority List
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We'll see what happens with Derek Carr (hand) and Chris Olave (concussion) in Week 18 at Tampa Bay, but if Olave remains out, then Johnson is worth using as a starter in deeper leagues. He scored at least 8.6 PPR points in three of his past five games, and he just had six catches for 66 yards on 10 targets in Week 17 against Las Vegas. Hopefully, that kind of production carries over to Week 18.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Continues to deal with foot issue
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Johnson (foot) was estimated as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
For the fourth consecutive week, Johnson has been listed with a foot injury on New Orleans' injury report. On the first three occasions, he was able to play through the issue while putting up a combined 8-89-1 receiving line on 10 targets over that span. Assuming his fate is similar this week, Johnson will continue to split reps at tight end with Foster Moreau in New Orleans' offense.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Two catches in lopsided loss
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Johnson brought in both targets for 27 yards in the Saints' 34-0 loss to the Packers on Monday night.
Johnson tied fellow tight end Foster Moreau and Dante Pettis for the team lead in receptions on a night where Spencer Rattler recorded only 15 completions. Johnson has hit the 50-yard mark only once all season, leaving him with little upside irrespective of which quarterback is under center for a Week 17 home matchup against the Raiders.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Ready for Monday
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Johnson (foot) does not carry an injury designation ahead of Monday's contest against the Packers.
Johnson practiced in full Saturday clearing the way for the veteran tight end to play Monday. With Chris Olave (concussion) and Bub Means (ankle) out, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness) listed as questionable despite failing to practice all week, Johnson might be the de-facto top target for backup quarterback Spencer Rattler.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Remains limited by foot issue
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Johnson (foot) was limited at practice Thursday.
For a third week in a row, Johnson is tending to a foot injury, but he's been able to log a typical workload the last two games en route to six catches (on eight targets) for 62 yards and one touchdown over that span. With Taysom Hill out for the season due to a torn ACL, Johnson and Foster Moreau have been handling the TE reps the last three games, and neither player has topped 50 receiving yards in any given week. Both have recorded one TD catch apiece. In any case, Johnson's status will need to be monitored as the week goes on to ensure he isn't in danger of sitting out Monday's visit to the Packers.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Another limited showing
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Johnson (foot) was limited at Thursday's practice.
For a second week in a row, the Saints are placing a cap on Johnson's reps due to a foot issue. Despite being limited all of last week, though, he entered the weekend without a designation for this past Sunday's game at the Giants, when both he and Foster Moreau played 49 of 68 offensive snaps. Johnson was the more productive of the duo in the team's first contest without Taysom Hill (torn ACL): Johnson had a 4-50-1 line on five targets, while Moreau went for 2-40-0 on two targets. Friday's practice report will unveil whether or not Johnson has a designation ahead of Sunday's contest versus the Commanders.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Still dealing with foot issue
Rotowire
Johnson practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday due to a foot injury, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
With Taysom Hill out for the season due to a torn ACL, Johnson and Foster Moreau handled the reps at tight end in this past Sunday's win over the Giants, with both players playing 49 of 68 offensive snaps. Both got in the act as pass catchers, with Johnson hauling in four of five targets for 50 yards and one touchdown and Moreau reeling in both targets for 40 yards. Johnson also tended to a foot injury last week, so there's a decent chance he's cleared for this coming Sunday's contest against the Commanders by week's end even if he remains limited in the Saints' final two practices of the week.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Hauls in TD in win
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Johnson caught four of five targets for 50 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 14-11 win over the Giants.
The tight end was on the other end of Derek Carr's only TD pass of the day, hauling in an 11-yard strike late in the third quarter. It was Johnson's third touchdown of the season and second in the last three games, and the 50 yards was a season high for him. Carr left the game late in the fourth quarter to be checked out for a concussion and a hand injury, and if he is forced to sit out a Week 15 clash with the Commanders, Johnson could be leaned on more heavily as a security blanket by Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Another limited session
Rotowire
Johnson (foot) was limited in practice Thursday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Both Johnson and Foster Moreau (shoulder) have had a cap on their practice reps so far this week, so Friday's injury report will be key for determining who among the duo may be cleared ahead of the weekend. Neither player has missed a game this season, but if one of them does sit for a Week 14 clash with the Giants, undrafted rookie Dallin Holker could see his first NFL snaps.
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Saints' Juwan Johnson: Dealing with foot issue
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Johnson practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday due to a foot injury, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
In the wake of Taysom Hill's (knee) season-ending ACL tear, Johnson and Foster Moreau (shoulder) are expected to handle the bulk of the reps at tight end for the Saints moving forward. Having said that, both players began Week 14 prep with a cap on their practice reps. The pair will have two more opportunities Thursday and Friday before the team potentially tags them with designations ahead of Sunday's game at the Giants.
I would expect both Johnson and Foster Moreau see a boost in playing time with Taysom Hill out. They are both streaming options and the right one to play is probably whichever one scores a touchdown. I slightly favor Johnson because of the seven targets he saw last week.
