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James-Michael Johnson | Linebacker

Team: Cleveland Browns
Age / DOB:  (23) / 8/20/1989
Ht / Wt:  6'1' / 241
College: Nevada
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Browns LB James-Michael Johnson is a "top bet" to start at inside linebacker in the team's new 3-4 defense.
Johnson and D'Qwell Jackson are expected to man the inside spots, while the outside spots appear to be wide open aside from Jabaal Sheard, who will try to convert from 4-3 defensive end. Johnson ended his rookie year on injured reserve with a knee injury, but did not require surgery. He should be all set for OTAs. Feb 10 - 9:44 AM
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

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Player News

Date:
James-Michael Johnson - LB - Browns

Browns placed LB James-Michael Johnson (knee) on injured reserve, ending his season.

The rookie fourth-rounder will not need surgery on the knee. Johnson started eight of 10 games this season, recording 36 tackles while playing primarily on early downs. With Scott Fujita's Cleveland career likely over and Chris Gocong's (Achilles) future in question, Johnson is a good bet to open the 2013 season as a starter. DE Hall Davis was elevated from the practice squad to take Johnson's roster spot.
Related: Hall Davis
Tue, Dec 18, 2012 06:11:00 PM
James-Michael Johnson - LB - Browns

Browns LB James-Michael Johnson (oblique) has resumed practicing after missing the first four games of the season.

The rookie fourth-rounder is expected to make his NFL debut this week as a special teamer "It's really good to get him back," DC Dick Jauron said. "It's his first full week back in practice. He's moving around really well. We're excited."
Source: Fox Sports Ohio
Thu, Oct 4, 2012 04:57:00 PM
James-Michael Johnson - LB - Browns

Browns LB James-Michael Johnson (oblique) has been ruled out for Week 1.

Johnson could miss up to four weeks and hasn't been cleared to return to practice. Scott Fujita (leg) "most likely won't play" Sunday despite having his suspension overturned. Undrafted free agent L.J. Fort is expected to start for the Browns at strongside linebacker.
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 09:09:00 PM
James-Michael Johnson - LB - Browns

Browns GM Tom Heckert characterized LB James-Michael Johnson's oblique injury as "nothing serious" and lists him as "day-to-day".

According to Heckert, it's a matter of Johnson managing the pain and, although he could make a quick return, it's certainly possible he misses a few weeks of the regular season. The Browns did sign Tank Carder, who could see a significant workload if Johnson misses time.
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
Sun, Sep 2, 2012 12:19:00 PM
James-Michael Johnson - LB - Browns

Browns rookie LB James-Michael Johnson could miss up to four weeks with an oblique injury.

With Chris Gocong (Achilles) done for the year and SLB Scott Fujita suspended the first three games, Johnson was ticketed for heavy snaps. It's a big blow for the Browns. Cleveland is surely scanning the waiver wire for linebacker depth.
Source: Tony Grossi on Twitter
Sat, Sep 1, 2012 01:24:00 PM
James-Michael Johnson - LB - Browns

The Cleveland Plain Dealer confirms fourth-round pick James-Michael Johnson is expected to push Kaluka Maiava as the Browns' starting weak-side linebacker.

With Scott Fujita suspended the first three games, Johnson and Maiava will compete at WILL while Chris Gocong starts at SAM. Maiava is a replacement-level talent and struggled in run defense last season. Athletic and more of a thumper, Johnson should beat out Maiava if he grasps Dick Jauron's defense.
Related: Kaluka Maiava
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
Sat, Jul 28, 2012 11:00:00 PM
James-Michael Johnson - LB - Browns

Fourth-round LB James-Michael Johnson has impressed Browns coaches at OTAs.

With Scott Fujita suspended for three games, Chris Gocong figures to move to the strong side, which leaves Johnson to compete with Kaluka Maiava on the weak side. The most-likely scenario has "JMJ" working as the top reserve, which would allow him to spell overworked D'Qwell Jackson in the middle, as well.
Related: Kaluka Maiava
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
Sun, Jun 10, 2012 10:55:00 AM
James-Michael Johnson - LB - Browns

Fourth-round pick James-Michael Johnson is practicing at both middle and weak-side linebacker at Browns minicamp.

There is some feeling that Johnson's best position is WILL 'backer, and his best chance to start would be there over Kaluka Maiava, with Chris Gocong on the strong side and D'Qwell Jackson in the middle. If Johnson doesn't earn a starting job, he'll back up both positions and play on kickoff and punt coverage.
Source: Akron Beacon-Journal
Fri, May 11, 2012 05:18:00 PM
James-Michael Johnson - LB - Browns

Browns signed fourth-round LB James-Michael Johnson to a four-year contract.

Johnson was Nevada's starting middle linebacker last season, but Wolfpack coaches always believed his best position was WILL or SAM. With a big training camp, Johnson could push for a starting job. D'Qwell Jackson and Chris Gocong are locked in as starters, but the weak side is wide open in Cleveland.
Source: Scott Smith on Twitter
Wed, May 9, 2012 04:42:00 PM
James-Michael Johnson - LB - Browns

Browns selected Nevada ILB James-Michael Johnson with the No. 120 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

Johnson is a thumper that loves to hit at 6'1/241, but not a pass-rusher from the inside linebacker spot. He's a true Mike linebacker that can plug against the run and will provide insurance behind tackling machine D'Qwell Jackson in Cleveland.
Sat, Apr 28, 2012 01:14:00 PM

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3RB1Trent Richardson
2Montario Hardesty
FB1Owen Marecic
2Brad Smelley
WR11Josh Gordon
2Travis Benjamin
3David Nelson
4Josh Cooper
5Cordell Roberson
WR21Greg Little
2Davone Bess
3Jordan Norwood
4Perez Ashford
5Keenan Davis
WR31Davone Bess
TE1Jordan Cameron
2Kellen Davis
3Gary Barnidge
4Dan Gronkowski
5Travis Tannahill
K1Shayne Graham
2Brandon Bogotay