Kevin Johnson suffered his second concussion in the past month and may not be returning to the field anytime soon.
The Texans cornerback will be out “a while” because of this development, Bill O’Brien said (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, on Twitter), and may be an IR candidate. The former first-round pick is expected to miss at least four weeks because of this head injury, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reporting a six-week absence may be in the cards (Twitter link).
This is obviously a scary development for the fourth-year corner, and O’Brien called the matter “concerning” for one of his key defenders. Johnson suffered his previous concussion August 18 and was only cleared for a return to action on Friday. The fourth-year player sustained a concussion in 2017 as well. This latest one came when Johnson tried to make a tackle in the fourth quarter of a 27-20 loss to the Patriots.
Johnson missed four games last season and 10 in 2016 because of injuries. The Texans also have a recent history of a starter’s career ending prematurely because of concussions. C.J. Fiedorowicz‘s trouble with head injuries (three concussions in 2017) caused him to retire this offseason, and the Texans will exercise caution with Johnson.
Houston’s cornerback depth will be tested. The Texans moved Kareem Jackson to safety this year, and Johnathan Joseph is now in his age-34 season. Aaron Colvin mans the slot. Recent addition Kayvon Webster also missed Week 1 because of an injury. Veteran special-teamer Johnson Bademosi and recent waiver claim A.J. Moore also reside on the roster.
Johnson’s concussion would appear to make the Texans a candidate to explore outside solutions at the position.
Missing Johnson is a plus for defensive team. He is terrible and doesn’t communicate.
I’m really interested to see if the league hands out some kind of retroactive punishment for Coradelle Patterson on the play where Kevin Johnson got concussed. Lowering helmet is supposed to be called both ways.
I highly doubt it, both players lowered their helmet to embrace the hit. There was no intent to injury, that’s an unfortunate part of football but that’s football. Not every injury requires a punishment