Texans' Lonnie Johnson: 'They didn't bring me here to sit on the bench'

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard (13) pulls down a touchdown reception against Houston Texans defensive back Lonnie Johnson, Jr., (32) during a preseason NFL football game at Lambeau Field in Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. less Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard (13) pulls down a touchdown reception against Houston Texans defensive back Lonnie Johnson, Jr., (32) during a preseason NFL football game at Lambeau Field in ... more Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 117 Caption Close Texans' Lonnie Johnson: 'They didn't bring me here to sit on the bench' 1 / 117 Back to Gallery

When the Texans drafted rookie Lonnie Johnson Jr. in the second round out of Kentucky, they envisioned him eventually emerging as a shutdown corner.

During his first NFL game, Johnson was limited to special teams as the Texans' secondary got picked apart by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Now that the Texans have cut struggling nickel corner Aaron Colvin by terminating his $34 million contract and are adjusting their defense, Johnson is expected to see time on defense.

If Johnson plays a lot against the Jacksonville Jaguars, it's expected to be as an outside corner. At 6-2, 213 pounds with 4.38 speed in the 40-yard dash, Johnson is a prototypical cornerback with an aggressive style.

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“Physicality, I know I would be able to tackle and go out there and cover anybody for real," Johnson said when asked what can be expected from him. "That’s why these guys brought me here. They didn’t bring me here to sit on the bench the whole time.”

A former junior college standout, Johnson missed some time during the spring with a hamstring injury. He got better as training camp went on. Johnson broke up a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the third preseason game.

"He's a rookie, so he's not as ready as I want him to be, but in this game it's the next man up mentality and if he's the next man up, he's got to be ready. Then we have to try to play to his strengths and not to his weaknesses.

"He's got length, he's got speed, he's competitive, he's physical. All of those things can play into the equation."

Johnson experienced some rough moments during the preseason, including being kicked out of practice early after delivering some punishing hits in a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers that led to a scuffle and caused two injuries. He allowed a touchdown pass against Green Bay in the preseason opener.

Johnson said he's comfortable playing inside or outside, or in press coverage or off, but prefers playing in tight coverage.

"You can either play press or you can play off, there’s only two things you can do," Johnson said. "Press is obviously my strength, just got to get better at off. I’m a bigger corner, so of course playing off is supposed to be tougher for us. I just go out there, use my technique, stay within my leverage scheme and go out there and play."

The Texans believe Johnson is better at playing in tight coverage than off the football.

" I think he's better when he tries to play up on the ball, and he's more used to that,” Crennel said. “When he plays off the ball, he has to get used to the timing of the routes, footwork and transition has to get better – all of those things that come with doing something that you haven't been doing a lot of."

After committing to Ohio State and not qualifying academically, Johnson had a circuitous route to the NFL. He attended two junior colleges — San Bernardino Valley in California and Garden City in Kansas — before thriving at Kentucky and being named to the Senior Bowl all-star game where he first met with the Texans.

“He's made some progression and he shows that he's competitive, but he's missed some time,” Crennel said. “He missed some time in the spring, missed some time in training camp, so he could be in a better place if he had been available for all of those practices.”

Johnson’s size and mobility are eye-catching and could come in handy in jump-ball situations. He emulates NFL corners Richard Sherman, Patrick Peterson and Jalen Ramsey.

"I’m going to say the same thing I said when I got to Kentucky," Johnson said. "If I would have come off of the bench, I would have come off of the bench like I was a starter. That’s always been my mentality. Not worried about it too much. Whenever my number is called, I’m ready to go."

One of the Texans’ primary options would be having outside corner Bradley Roby shift inside with Johnson replacing him outside. Roby has outstanding speed and is an excellent tackler.

“He's a football player,” Crennel said. “He's got quickness, he's got coverage ability, he can play anywhere in the coverage, in the backfield that he chooses to play or that we choose to play him.”

The Texans could also have former New England Patriots corner Keion Crossen line up at nickel. The Texans traded a sixth-round pick to acquire him.

"We like him because he's got speed, he's a good competitor and I just like his attitude as well,” Crennel said.