Former Penn State defensive tackle Austin Johnson’s latest NFL stint ended Monday when the Buffalo Bills released him from their practice squad, via the NFL transaction wire.
The Bills announced the move as part of a series of roster transactions, signing outside linebacker Andre Jones Jr. and cornerback A.J. Woods while releasing Johnson and cornerback Anthony Kendall.
Johnson, 32, had joined Buffalo’s practice squad on September 23, roughly a month earlier, returning to the organization after spending the 2024 season on the active roster.
That 2024 campaign marked a productive chapter for the Galloway, New Jersey, product.
He appeared in 15 games (one start), recording 19 tackles and half a sack.
Most notably, he recorded the only two interceptions of his professional career—one against the Seattle Seahawks and another versus the Indianapolis Colts—tying for the team lead in picks.
After the season, he played 14 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025 before returning to Buffalo this fall as defensive line depth.
Johnson’s professional career began when the Tennessee Titans selected him in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.
He has since logged more than 140 regular-season games and over 50 starts across stops with the Titans, New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, Bills, and Jaguars, accumulating roughly 270 tackles and 9.5 sacks.
At Penn State, Johnson developed into a cornerstone of the defensive line. Over three seasons (2013–15), he totaled 154 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks in 36 games.
His 2015 campaign stood out: he ranked among the national leaders in tackles for an interior lineman, finished with 15 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media (third-team from the coaches).
He also returned a fumble 71 yards for a touchdown against San Diego State—the first score of his career at any level—and received the Reid-Robinson Award as the team’s most outstanding defensive lineman.
Johnson’s departure leaves fellow Nittany Lions Zane Durant (defensive line) and Connor McGovern (offensive line) still with the Bills. He remains part of a sizable contingent of former Penn State players active in the NFL.
With more than a decade of professional experience and a proven track record as a reliable interior presence, Johnson is expected to draw interest elsewhere as teams look for veteran depth down the stretch of the season.
For Nittany Lion fans, the release closes another chapter in a durable career that began in Happy Valley and has spanned multiple NFL organizations.
