Guess who’s back.
The San Francisco 49ers are plenty busy on Tuesday making some roster adjustments. Matt Maiocco reports they’ve officially released offensive tackle Anthony Davis who wants to make a return to football and also linebacker Pita Taumoepenu. But there also is a signing. Dontae Johnson.
Yes, cornerback Dontae Johnson, a source of high frustration for fans in 2017, has returned to Santa Clara.
Johnson was drafted by the 49ers in the 2014 NFL Draft and labeled a better athlete than a football player by then-analyst Mike Mayock. He showed some potential his rookie season, recording a pick-six, but that play was one of few that could be positive. The good news? Both of Johnson’s career interceptions turned into touchdowns.
Favor for Johnson fell fast and as his career went on, he was getting burned. Once Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins torched him in 2017, the 49ers saw enough and sent Johnson to the bench. Johnson went to the Seattle Seahawks in 2018 free agency and got placed on injured reserve, never seeing the field. After being released in September that same year, he then signed with the Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs, in that order. He played one game in Buffalo and saw zero stats. The Chiefs brought him in after the season concluded in February 2019, only to release him a little over a month later.
Now Johnson is back with the 49ers. The 49ers secondary has some stiff competition, and Johnson being around when the 53-man roster is made might be a bit of a stretch. They have signed Jason Verrett, as well as have a returning Richard Sherman. Tim Harris, a rookie sixth-round draft choice has a long climb to see the field and if it comes down to him and Johnson, tie goes to the up-and-comer.
But hey! A Trent Baalke draft pick is returning to the team! That means something, right?
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