Well-traveled nose tackle who has bounced between four teams since being drafted in 2022.
Eric Johnson II arrived in Minnesota for his fifth NFL season after stops with the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots and back to Indianapolis. The 320-pound run-stuffer built his reputation on a productive Missouri State career before working his way through multiple NFL depth charts as a rotational interior lineman.
Path to the league
Johnson spent six seasons at Missouri State (2016-21), appearing in 55 games and racking up 131 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He earned Second Team All-MVFC honors in 2021 after starting all 12 games. The Colts selected him in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Johnson has appeared in 51 career NFL games with the Colts, Patriots and Colts again, recording 41 total tackles, two for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery. He has carved out a niche as a dependable interior run defender who has stuck on multiple 53-man rosters since entering the league.
2025 season recap
Johnson spent the 2025 season back with the Indianapolis Colts before signing with Minnesota, continuing his role as a rotational nose tackle and depth piece along the interior defensive line.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Eric Johnson (defensive tackle)
- ESPN: Eric Johnson II
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Defense
12 games played▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | colts | 12 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | patriots | 11 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | colts | 14 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | colts | 14 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Defensive Tackle
- Group
- defense
- College
- Missouri State
- Hometown
- Plainfield, IL, USA
- Age
- 28
- Status
- active
