Chiefs cornerback suffers knee injury in practice: ‘It would be a blow to lose him’
Even Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes sensed this could be serious.
Once defensive back Nazeeh Johnson crumpled to the ground and grabbed his right knee, Mahomes jogged over about 30 yards, checking on Johnson before taking a knee himself.
The sequence was the biggest storyline from Saturday’s practice, which was interrupted outside by a thunderstorm and eventually was completed inside at Missouri Western’s indoor practice facility.
Johnson, who had been a camp standout while elevating himself at times to first-string reps at cornerback, was injured during 7-on-7s, with the Chiefs confirming after practice that he left with a knee injury.
An update on the severity will likely come when coach Andy Reid speaks to reporters after Sunday’s practice.
The play started with Johnson defending receiver Richie James on the outside. James cut toward the sideline and then completed a double-move, bursting back up the field on an out-and-up for a deep catch from Mahomes.
Johnson, meanwhile, got tangled up on James’ first move outside. He grabbed at his knee while lying on the turf, staying there a few minutes as trainers tended to him.
Eventually, Johnson was brought to his feet, needing a person’s support on each side as he was assisted off the field.
Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub, who earlier this offseason stated he thought Johnson was one of the NFL’s best special teams gunners, said it was difficult to see him go down Saturday.
“We’ve got to wait and see — see what happens,” Toub said. “It’s unfortunate that that happened.”
The Chiefs selected Johnson in the seventh round of last year’s draft. He is part of what Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt dubbed “The Fab Five” during training camp a season ago; that group included now-second-year players Trent McDuffie, Bryan Cook, Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson and Johnson.
Toub said Johnson “really came on” at the end of last season on special teams, as he played a combined 14 games in the regular season and postseason.
“It would be a blow to lose him,” Toub said. “But we’ll just have to see, hope for the best.”
A few others missed their first full practice for the Chiefs on Saturday with ailments: running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness), cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (knee), linebacker Drue Tranquill (neck), tight end Jody Fortson (shoulder) and defensive lineman Mike Danna (calf).
