Eric Johnson

Johnson, 26, was claimed off waivers and awarded to the New England Patriots from Indianapolis on August 28, 2024 ... Originally drafted by Indianapolis in the fifth round (159th overall) by Indianapolis of the 2022 NFL Draft ... Released by Indianapolis (8/27/24).

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

Eric Johnson II was claimed off waivers and awarded to the New England Patriots from Indianapolis on August 28, 2024 ... Originally drafted by Indianapolis in the fifth round (159th overall) by Indianapolis of the 2022 NFL Draft ... Released by Indianapolis (8/27/24).

Seasonal reviews

2024 (11/0)

• Serves a role in the defensive line rotation.
• Claimed off waivers and awarded to New England on Aug. 28 after being released by Indianapolis on Aug. 27.
• Named practice player of the week by head coach Jerod Mayo for the week leading into the game at Cincinnati (9/8).
• Dressed for the game vs. Miami (10/6), but did not see action.
• Inactive vs. Houston (10/13).
• Stopped RB Tank Bigsby on a fourth-and-1 from the New England 6-yard line in the fourth quarter to prevent a score vs. Jacksonville (10/20).
• Named practice player of the week by head coach Jerod Mayo for the week leading into the game at Tennessee (11/3).
• Inactive at Tennessee (11/3) and at Chicago (11/10).

2023 (14/0 - Indianapolis)

• Played in 14 games for the Colts and recorded 15 tackles, and 1 sack.
• Recorded a ½ sack for a 5-yard loss at Carolina (11/5) and a ½ sack in an overtime win at Tennessee (12/3).

2022 (14/0 - Indianapolis)

• Played in 14 games for the Colts, recording 3 tackles and 1 fumble recovery.
• Recorded 1 tackle in a win at Las Vegas (11/13) and 2 tackles in a loss to Pittsburgh (11/28).
• Recovered a fumble in a loss to Philadelphia (11/20).

College

• Named second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) in 2021.
• Total career statistics include 130 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 2 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and 5 blocked kicks.
• In the final college game of his college career against UT Martin (11/27/21), posted a career-high 11 tackles with a forced fumble and a blocked kick.
• As a senior in 2021, his 5.0 tackles for loss ranked ninth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
• Finished his college career having played in a school-record 55 consecutive games.
• Blocked the potential game-winning field goal in an at-home win against No. 9 Illinois State (9/29/18).
• Redshirted as a freshman in 2016.

Personal

• Attended Plainfield South High School in Plainfield, Ill.
• Recorded 17 sacks and 29 tackles for loss en route to being named All-Conference in 2015.
• Son of Eric Johnson and Kesha Richardson, and his father is a former All-MVFC defensive lineman.
• Wrestled in high school, claiming second at the 2015 IHSA Class 3A state tournament and holding the top ranking in his weight class into his senior year.