When the Jacksonville Jaguars decided to place Eric Murray (and Travis Hunter) on Injured Reserve just before their Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, it presented a golden opportunity for Antonio Johnson to prove that he deserves a featured role. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to seize it and instead showed that the Jags have a glaring need at safety.
Before the game, Coen heaped praise on Johnson, pointing out that he had had a good week of practice. But when his time to shine came, he failed to deliver.
Antonio Johnson was a liability for the Jaguars in Week 6
Antonio Johnson logged 62 snaps against the Raiders and posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 51.5 for giving up three receptions for 48 yards on five targets. On top of that, he missed a tackle in the fourth quarter. But wait, there's more.
DaVon Hamilton got the spotlight because he batted Geno Smith's ill-fated pass attempt during the two-point conversion. But if Ham had failed to come through, Johnson might've gotten beat and handed Las Vegas the win. Here's a look at the play, via Twitter user @ericvdunn:
Hamilton saved us from spiraling for a week https://t.co/Gfg2BAVLjX pic.twitter.com/jpMt79jdp3
— Rev. Eric Dunn (@ericvdunn) November 3, 2025
As you can see on the screenshot, newly acquired Raiders receiver Tyler Lockett is open, and Johnson is several yards away. He wouldn't have gotten in time to defend the pass if Hamilton hadn't knocked it down.
With Murray expected to miss at least four weeks, Johnson will probably continue to start next to Andrew Wingard. After all, the Jags don't have many options at safety aside from rookie Rayuan Layen and Kahlif Hailassie. Neither appears to be suited for a featured role at this moment.
The Jaguars have no choice but to trust Antonio Johnson
Projected to go in the first round of the 2023 draft, Antonio Johnson instead fell to the fifth. However, he showed promise early in his first NFL season and progressively got more playing time to the point that he supplanted Tre Herndon at nickel. The former Texas A&M Aggie finished his rookie campaign with two interceptions and a forced fumble, which is why the Jags might've felt that he would be better off switching back to safety, his natural position.
Johnsons struggled in 2024 and was at one point benched in favor of Darnell Savage. He was given a chance to compete for a starting job next to Eric Murray in the offseason, but Andrew Wingard got the job. Still, the third-year safety showed enough promise to make you think that he would fare well if called upon, but that wasn't the case against the Raiders. Then again, not everything is doom and gloom with the East St. Louis, Illinois native.
Against the Texans, Johnson picked off quarterback C.J. Stroud, so the talent is certainly there.
Ultimately, Antonio Johnson still has time to turn the corner, but time is running out. If he fails to come through, he'll leave the Jaguars no choice but to look for his potential replacement next offseason.