Chargers News: Defensive Tackle Austin Johnson Set To Make Impact as He Returns to Practice

Injuries. That was the name of the game for your Los Angeles Chargers in 2022, and it was the death of them. 

Excuse or not, that was the truth of the matter. However, that hope for all that to change coming into 2023, and so far, things look good. LA lost many crucial players last season that many probably forgot about defensive tackle Austin Johnson. 

Johnson only played in eight games in 2022 before fracturing his left knee and injuring his MCL. Since then, he’s been on the injury reserve; however, that all changed this week when he returned to practice for the first time this season. 

Chargers insider Daniel Popper said he didn’t participate in team drills but was doing his work on the side while the team had a joint practice.LA head coach Brandon Staley said there is no rush on Johnson to return 100%. 

“Now we just have to build back up and make sure that we take our time,” Staley said of Johnson. 

“But definitely a good sign for us that he is back.”

^{(via The Athletic)}

Johnson will enter his second season with the Bolts and his eighth season in the NFL. He spent his first four years with the Tennessee Titans; the next two were with the New York Giants. 

The 29-year-old will look to make his mark with the Bolts, and in order to do that, he must stay healthy. That needs to be the name of the game for the Chargers in 2023.