8 Josh Johnson QB

Johnson signed a contract with the XFL's Los Angeles Wildcats on Friday, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson appeared in four games for the Redskins last season (three starts), completing 57 percent of his passes for 590 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions. He also played for the Buccaneers, Browns and Bengals in his NFL career. A stipulation in Johnson's contract bars him from participating in the NFL for the duration of the season in order to attend next month's XFL minicamp.

The Lions released Johnson on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Johnson initially won the backup job in Detroit behind Matthew Stafford after surviving the annual roster cuts Aug. 31, but it appears the club wants to go in a different direction. The Lions promoted David Blough to backup and signed Jeff Driskel for depth. Johnson hasn't appeared in more than four games in a season since seeing the field in nine contests for Tampa Bay in 2011.

Johnson survived roster cuts and will be the Lions' backup quarterback in 2019, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

Johnson was battling with Tom Savage for the No. 2 quarterback slot behind Matt Stafford. Johnson was out of the NFL for four years before joining the Redskins last year and seeing a couple spot starts. He provides the Lions with a veteran option should Stafford miss any time with injury.

Johnson completed nine of 15 passes for 157 yards and one touchdown during Thursday's preseason game against the Browns. He added four carries for 17 yards and one rushing touchdown.

With David Fales out of the picture, Johnson split playing time with Tom Savage, who completed five of nine passes for 33 yards. While Johnson was considerably more productive Thursday, a healthy Savage was considered a shoo-in for the No. 2 role earlier this preseason and it's not certain the Lions will carry three quarterbacks on the active roster.

Johnson signed a contract with the Lions on Saturday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

It seems as if Tom Savage's potential concussion during Thursday's preseason opener may be worse than the Lions initially let on, as the team immediately set out to acquire a veteran backup for starter Matthew Stafford. Johnson underwent ankle surgery back in March but has been fully cleared to practice and should be healthy competition for Savage or David Fales as the trio competes for the No. 2 spot on the quarterback depth chart.

Johnson (ankle) was offered a contract by the Ravens on Monday but did not sign with the team, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Johnson reportedly did not accept the Ravens' offer due to the likelihood that Robert Griffin (thumb) will be healthy for Week 1. The veteran appears to be searching for a backup job rather than a depth role.

Johnson (ankle) is working out for the Ravens, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

With Robert Griffin's hairline fracture to his right thumb putting his status for the start of the regular season in jeopardy, the Ravens are searching for another backup option at quarterback. Johnson made three starts for the Redskins last season, putting together some pretty underwhelming performances. Johnson is, however, a mobile quarterback, and could end up being a good fit behind Lamar Jackson in Baltimore given the offensive scheme the team is expected to run this season.

Johnson underwent surgery on his ankle, Tom Krasovic of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Johnson had been playing with the San Diego Fleet of the AAF but didn't get any game action before his injury. He isn't expected to return to the AAF this season, but he could get a shot with an NFL team after he recovers from surgery.

The Redskins have expressed interest in re-signing Johnson, ESPN.com's John Keim reports.

Johnson likely would be brought back for the No. 3 quarterback job, though it isn't clear who would be ahead of him besides Colt McCoy (leg). The mobile 32-year-old created some buzz with his strong garbage-time performance against the Giants in Week 15, followed by a solid effort in Jacksonville the following week to keep Washington in the playoff hunt. Johnson predictably imploded along with the rest of the Redskins offense over the final two games of the season, but he at least did enough to warrant consideration for a 53-man roster spot in 2019. With Alex Smith (leg) uncertain to ever play again, the Redskins have an interesting dilemma at the QB position this offseason.

Johnson completed 12 of 27 passes for 91 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in the Redskins' 24-0 loss to the Eagles on Sunday. He also rushed three times for four yards and had a fumble that was recovered by the offense.

Johnson finished off his late-season starting stint with a whimper, posting his worst completion percentage and yardage total over that span. The 32-year-old had generated serviceable numbers in his first three games seeing extended action, but an aggressive Eagles defense that was out to do its part to ensure a playoff berth got the best of him throughout the afternoon. In fairness, Johnson was also working with a significantly short-handed pass-catching corps that was missing Jordan Reed (IR-foot), Maurice Harris (IR-concussion) and Vernon Davis (concussion). Johnson reportedly plans to continue his professional career with the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football this coming February, which will presumably give him a platform to make a case for an NFL return in some capacity in 2019.

Coach Jay Gruden said Johnson would serve as the Redskins' starting quarterback Week 17 against the Eagles, Kareem Copeland of The Washington Post reports.

Johnson has turned in a respectable 7.8 yards per attempt while adding 116 yards on the ground during three outings (two starts) with Washington, but ball security (three interceptions and a fumble) has been an issue. The 32-year-old tossed two of those picks in Saturday's 25-16 loss to the Titans, dropping the Redskins to 7-8 on the season. While Johnson will get a shot at redemption in the regular-season finale, Gruden noted that the injured Colt McCoy (lower leg) could receive the nod if Washington should qualify for the postseason. That seems like a pipe dream, however, and the team could be eliminated before Week 17 even kicks off depending on how Sunday's slate of games plays out.

Johnson completed 13 of 23 pass attempts for 153 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in Saturday's 25-16 loss to the Titans. He added 22 rushing yards on four carries.

Johnson struggled against the Titans' pass defense, posting his worst passing and rushing performance since taking over starting duties Week 14. The 32-year-old has never been known for his arm, so his value really bottoms out when he is unable to generate big numbers on the ground, as was the case Saturday. While the Redskins are all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, Johnson could still earn another start against the Eagles in Week 17 with the team having no younger prospects to trot out under center.

Johnson will remain the Redskins' starting quarterback for Saturday's game against the Titans, Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic reports.

With Colt McCoy (lower leg) still not practicing and having been ruled out for Week 16, Johnson will draw a second straight start. It marks the first time since 2009 that the journeyman signal-caller will have started consecutive games. Over his two appearances this season, Johnson has elevated the limited talent around him, completing 65.9 percent of his throws for a respectable 8.4 yards per attempt while chipping in 94 more yards on 16 carries. If Johnson can guide the Redskins to another win Saturday to keep their playoff hopes alive, coach Jay Gruden would likely have a tough time justifying handing the job back to McCoy in Week 17 against the Eagles if he's available.

Johnson completed 16 of 25 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown while adding 49 yards on nine carries in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Jaguars.

Johnson was quiet for most of the afternoon, but he found tight end Jeremy Sprinkle for a game-tying, six-yard touchdown with 5:47 remaining. After Jaguars quarterback Cody Kessler threw an interception on the ensuing possession, Johnson got his team in position to win on a 36-yard Dustin Hopkins field goal as time expired. While Johnson's upside as a passer is limited, his ability to keep the defense honest with his running ability and limit turnovers should earn him the Week 16 start Saturday in Tennessee.

Coach Jay Gruden called Johnson the Redskins' starting quarterback Week 15 at Jacksonville, Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic reports.

At the 5:31 mark of the third quarter, Johnson took over for Mark Sanchez, who led the Redskins to just 19 yards on their first 10 possessions. Thereafter, Johnson led a pair of touchdown drives en route to 195 yards, one TD and one interception on 11-for-16 passing. The performance is an impressive one with less than a week in the program, and he clearly fared better than Sanchez, making Gruden's decision an easy one.

The Redskins signed Johnson to a contract Wednesday.

With Alex Smith (lower leg) out for the season and Colt McCoy (lower leg) likely facing a similar fate, Johnson will step in as the backup to Mark Sanchez ahead of Washington's game Sunday against the Giants. The 32-year-old last threw a pass in an NFL regular-season game in 2011, but his familiarity with Washington's offensive scheme from having previously worked with coach Jay Gruden should help him get up to speed quickly.

Johnson is headed to the Redskins' facility and is expected to sign a contract as early as Wednesday, Josina Anderson of ESPN reports.

Johnson was connected to the team earlier Tuesday due to his familiarity with coach Jay Gruden and should officially join the team in the near future. The 32-year-old hasn't played a regular-season snap since 2013, but the Redskins are desperate following season-ending leg injuries to Alex Smith and Colt McCoy. Johnson was drafted and signed in the Alliance of American Football draft last month but has been released from said contract and cleared to join Washington, Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports. Mark Sanchez will continue as the team's starting quarterback with Johnson set to serve as a backup.

Washington hopes to sign Johnson, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

A deal on that front still requires some work to be finalized, but the team needs someone to back up Mark Sanchez, with both Colt McCoy and Alex Smith out with leg injuries. Washington considered other options, but as Mike Garafolo of NFL Network notes, Johnson worked with coach with Jay Gruden in Cincinnati and Tampa Bay, so the signal caller should get up to speed with his (potential) new team's offense rather quickly.

Johnson was released by the Raiders on Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Johnson was always viewed as a long shot to make the Raiders' final roster when he was signed back in March, as the team is fairly secure at the quarterback position with Derek Carr, EJ Manuel and Connor Cook all still on the roster. Johnson has floated around the league since being drafted back in 2008, and he could potentially still find a backup job at some point down the line if a team is in need of depth at the position.

Johnson signed with the Raiders on Monday, Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

A 2008 fifth-round pick, Johnson has bounced around the league as a third-string quarterback for most of his career, last attempting a pass in a regular-season game in 2011. He lost out to Geno Smith in a battle for the Giants' No. 2 job last preseason, and then caught on with the Texans for part of November and December. Johnson may get the chance to compete with 2016 fourth-round pick Connor Cook for the backup job in Oakland, though the team also figures to add another veteran and/or draft pick. Johnson is an Oakland native and cousin of Marshawn Lynch.