Ty Johnson Gets 'Revenge' in Bills at Lions

Following the impressive grab, on third-and-5 on the same drive, Josh Allen connected with Johnson once again for 24 yards over the middle, bringing the ball up to the Detroit 6-yard line. Buffalo would no-huddle and try to reward Johnson for his efforts with a quick handoff, which he took for five yards but was brought down just short of the goal line. Allen would punch it in on the next play. 

Johnson wouldn't receive any more action in the first quarter, but during Buffalo's first drive of the second quarter, Johnson and Allen would connect for another deep ball; this time for 31 yards just outside the numbers being Johnson was brought down along the right sideline. 

Johnson would receive another pass just two plays later for a seven yard pickup to bring it to Detroits six yard line once again, which set up a James Cook run for a touchdown.

Buffalo opened up the second half with a run for Ty Johnson, picking up four yards. On second-and-6, Allen dialed up another pass for Johnson, who picked up 19 yards on the play. This would end Johnson's stat sheet production for the day, but his contribution to Buffalo's win over the Lions could not be understated.

In total, Johnson hauled in five receptions for 114 yards. His previous career high in yards was just 71, which came during his time as a New York Jet. Johnson also picked up nine yards on the ground on two carries, bringing his scrimmage yards for the day up to 125, also a career high. His previous high, also with the Jets, was 117 in 2021's Week 13 bout against the Las Vegas Raiders. 

As previously mentioned, Johnson was drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He appeared in 16 games during his rookie campaign, starting in one. Just two games into his sophomore season, he was waived by the Lions, and picked up by the Jets. Johnson spent three seasons with the Jets, where as a back he averaged 4.5 yards per attempt on the ground, and 9.0 yards per reception through the air. He appeared in 44 games, making five starts, and also picking up his first four career touchdowns. 

Despite proving valuable on special teams, Johnson struggled to find playing time in the Jets running back room in his last season with the team, as all five running backs in the group (Johnson, Michael Carter, Breece Hall, Donovan Knight, James Robinson) were under the age of 25, and Hall emerged as a top-tier back before succumbing to injury.

Once again finding himself released, Johnson signed with the Bills. He's carved out a role for himself as a backup runner and valuable receiving back, as well as a contributor on special teams. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry for Buffalo in the playoffs last season, and with this career day against the Lions, has shown what a 5-10, 210-pound former Maryland Terrapin and sixth-round pick can do on a big stage.