Cornerback Kevin Johnson Released by Houston Texans

The Houston Texans released cornerback Kevin Johnson on Tuesday. Johnson was drafted by the Texans in 2015 with the No. 16 overall pick.

Kevin Johnson (26), was to be paid a $9.07 million base salary for 2019. That was on the fifth-year option of his contract signed as a rookie. Houston will save the complete amount on the salary cap by releasing Johnson.

Last season, Johnson was put on injured reserve after he suffered a concussion during Week 1’s loss against the New England Patriots. The concussion at that time was Johnson’s second in less than 30 days, after he suffered one during a preseason game of the Texans on August 19 versus the San Francisco 49ers when his head struck the field.

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Johnson told a local Houston daily that he had been cleared medically by neurologists and was in great shape, feeling good and ready to go in 2019.

With the Texans, Johnson played 35 games that included 18 starts. He intercepted one pass, defensed 14 passes and made 122 tackles over his four seasons at Houston.

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General Manager Brian Gaine last week said that Johnson had faced tough luck the past couple of years.

Johnson is expected to test out the free-agent market however, Houston could re-sign the defensive back with a contract substantially less than his previous one if Johnson does not sign with another team.