FOXBORO — It’s not often that a 30-year-old player signs a future/reserve contract, but that’s exactly what Antonio Johnson did last December to stay in the NFL.
Johnson didn’t play a snap in 2014. The Tennessee Titans cut the defensive lineman last September after an arthroscopic knee scope kept him out for the entire preseason, and Johnson didn’t find a home until the Patriots came calling at the end of December.
Since he signed, Johnson has done nothing but impress with his work ethic.
Johnson was a Patriots offseason award winner — generally given to players who have outstanding attendance for team workouts — alongside the likes of wide receiver Julian Edelman and offensive lineman Bryan Stork, and has been present for every practice session of training camp.