The Washington Commanders released linebacker D.J. Johnson from their practice squad on Tuesday, closing another short chapter in a career that has never matched the expectations that followed him out of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The move was announced via the NFL transaction wire.
Johnson, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound edge rusher out of Oregon, was selected 80th overall by the Carolina Panthers after they traded up in the third round.
At the time, the physical tools were obvious: a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at the combine, 28 bench-press reps, and a late-college breakout that produced 6 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in 2022.
The Panthers envisioned a developmental pass rusher who could grow into a rotational piece. That never happened.
Over three seasons in Carolina, Johnson appeared in 31 games with just four starts. He finished with 62 tackles, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and a half-sack.
Production stalled after modest snaps as a rookie. In 2025, he played only four games before the Panthers waived him in late September. Washington signed him to the practice squad at the end of that season and gave him a reserve/future contract in January 2026.
He did not survive final roster cuts in late August, was brought back to the practice squad, and was released again Tuesday.
The numbers tell a familiar story for a mid-round prospect who never developed a consistent pass-rush plan or the instincts to finish plays. Johnson’s length and strength flashed in flashes, but he rarely won with technique or leverage. Special-teams contributions were limited. For a third-round investment, the return has been thin.
Washington’s decision is straightforward roster management. The Commanders have more proven or younger options at outside linebacker and on the practice squad.
Johnson, now 27, becomes a free agent again. Another team may give him a look as depth or a camp body. After three-plus years, however, the gap between draft pedigree and on-field impact remains wide.
Johnson’s path is a reminder that tools alone do not guarantee a foothold in the NFL.
The Commanders, like Carolina before them, have moved on.
For a player once viewed as a high-upside developmental piece, the latest release underscores how disappointing the first four years of his professional career have been.
