In light of injuries to the defensive trenches, the Jacksonville Jaguars are adding reinforcements on the defensive line.
With Maason Smith and Arik Armstead sitting out a good portion of training camp, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Jags are signing defensive tackle Austin Johnson.
At 6'4" and 314 pounds, Johnson is a serviceable run stopper. A second-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2016, the former Penn State Nittany Lion signed with the New York Giants in 2020 and bolted for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022. He played for the Buffalo Bills last year.
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What does the Austin Johnson signing mean to the Jaguars?
Austin Johnson has been mostly a rotational piece throughout his career. He did make 17 starts in a season twice in the past four years but isn't the kind of player that opposing offensive coordinators have to game plan for.
With the Jacksonville Jaguars, Johnson would be a depth piece that provides insurance in case Maason Smith and Arik Armstead miss time. Granted, DaVon Hamilton is still in the mix but he isn't nearly as talented as Armstead or has as much upside as Smith.
Of course, signing Johnson could turn out to be a cautionary measure, but it could also be a sign that the team's brass isn't pleased with the depth at defensive tackle. Behind Smith, Armstead, and Hamilton, Jacksonville has Tyler Lacy, Jordan Jefferson, and undrafted rookie Eli Mostaert. All of them are either rotational pieces or developmental prospects. The Jags could be in trouble if any of them get significant playing time next season.
It's also worth noting that the Jags haven't revealed what kind of injuries (and their respective timelines) Smith and Armstead are dealing with. This makes it more difficult to assess the state of the defensive line position. The preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers is around the corner, and maybe now that the team is closer to the regular season, it will bring some clarity about Smith and Armstead.
For the time being, though, the Jaguars are bringing in Austin Johnson. The signing could turn out to be just a depth move, or perhaps they want to assess external options before they put together their 53-man roster. It could also be a sign that the team will be without Maason Smith and Arik Armstead for a while, and if that's the case, it's most definitely a reason for concern.