Browns sign LB Cam Johnson to practice squad
By Thomas Moore
Aug 7, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Cam Johnson (59) reacts after sacking New York Jets quarterback Michael Vick (not pictured) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns signed linebacker Cam Johnson to the practice squad on Tuesday. To make room on the roster, the team released defensive lineman Kelcy Quarles from the practice squad.
The team announced the moves on its website.
The 6-foot-4, 268-pound Johnson was originally selected by San Francisco in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Virginia. He spent most of the season on the practice squad, but did appear in two games with the 49ers.
The Indianapolis Colts traded a conditional draft pick to the 49ers in 2013 for Johnson, who appeared in 12 games for the Colts that season, registering five tackles. He only made it though five plays in the 2014 season before suffering a triceps injury, which landed him on season-ending injured reserve.
Johnson was released by the Colts during their final roster cut down earlier this month.
Even though he was a late-round draft pick, there was some hope for Johnson when he arrived in training camp as a rookie with San Francisco. According to a story at Niner Noise prior to that season:
"(Johnson) has great athletic skills and is quick with an explosive first step for someone (his size). He posted a 4.78 second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Before April’s draft, NFL.com had Johnson listed as the No. 50 overall best prospect. So why did Johnson slip all the way to the 237th overall pick?"
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"One big reason why is NFL teams didn’t see Johnson fitting naturally into a position on defense. He spent his sophomore season as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 base defense. After a coaching change, he spent the next two seasons at defensive end in a 4-3 base defense. NFL scouts saw him as too big as an outside linebacker and too small as a defensive end."
"Another red flag for teams was him being diagnosed with sickle-cell trait, a disorder affecting blood hemoglobin that can cause anemia during extreme physical conditioning. Also not helping Johnson’s draft stock was a quote from his former head coach at University of Virginia, Mike London, who said last year he gets tired easily."
With Scott Solomon still out with an ankle injury and Barkevious Mingo tweaking his knee against Tennessee, Johnson could provide practice squad depth at the outside linebacker position.