Raiders report: Safety suffers ‘significant’ injury in mock game

Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson is feared to have suffered a serious lower right leg injury during Saturday’s mock game at Allegiant Stadium.

“I don’t have all the details right now,” coach Pete Carroll said after the practice session. “But it’s significant.”

Johnson, 29, signed with the Raiders this offseason and had been getting a great deal of reps with both the first and second units throughout training camp.

The Raiders are his sixth organization in seven NFL seasons and he had expressed optimism that he may finally have found a long-term home.

“I’m here every day (for) early studying, making sure I do everything right to earn the respect from (the organization) just to earn another contract,” he said Friday. “It’s a prove-it deal for me and it’s a prove-it deal for my family, because I’m tired of moving. I’m tired of flying them out every year. I’ve got a wife and four kids at home, so I want to retire a Raider, honestly. When I’m done, I want to finish my career here.

“But I’m going to earn it. I don’t want y’all to give it to me. I want y’all to see that I’m working my tail off. I’m going to earn whatever that they see fit for me in the future.”

The injury occurred at the end of a running play on which Raheem Mostert took a handoff around the right end.

Defensive end Maxx Crosby and safety Isaiah Pola-Mao went to the ground at the end of the play and rolled up on Johnson, who immediately went to the ground grabbing his right leg. He was carted off the field.

It was a nightmare scenario for Johnson, who was asked Friday what he was hoping the team would get out of Saturday’s mock game.

“Honestly, staying healthy for one, because that’s the only way our team is going to get to where it’s got to get,” he said. “But just putting on a show for y’all, man, like showing what the Raiders are going to be about and showing what Pete (Carroll) is actually putting out there.”

Johnson’s injury was difficult to watch, especially for his teammates. Running back Sincere McCormick had visions of last year when his season was ended by a serious ankle injury.

“It’s upsetting, especially for a guy like me who’s been through it,” McCormick said. “I know it’s not pleasant. We’ll keep him in our prayers and keep his spirits up. It’s part of the game, but it’s tough.”

Play of the day

A pair of throws by Geno Smith would be easy choices for the top highlights of the mock game.

Smith hit a back shoulder throw to Brock Bowers for the duo’s second red zone touchdown of the day on what was a spectacular grab by the second-year tight end.

The quarterback later hit former first-round pick Phillip Dorsett on a deep throw down the middle for a go-ahead score in the final two minutes of the mock game.

That play came on a great route that got Dorsett behind Sam Webb as Smith laid the ball out perfectly for the veteran speedster.

One other notable play came on a deep ball thrown in the direction of receiver Jack Bech. The rookie, who made several nice catches in yet another productive practice, was defended by fellow rookie Darien Porter.

Porter got the best of the rep as Bech never really had a chance to come down with the throw from backup Aidan O’Connell. While the incompletion was otherwise uneventful, it provided a glimpse into a promising future for the Raiders with a pair of players who figure to be going to battle at practice for years to come.

Maxx effort

Defensive end Maxx Crosby has still never scored a regular-season touchdown, but he showed he knows what to do when he crosses the end zone with the ball on a fumble return Saturday.

Crosby came around the edge and ripped the ball straight out of O’Connell’s hands before racing 70 yards for a score.

Then, he immediately soared through the air and dunked the ball over the goal post in the end of the field that features the Wynn Field Club.

“That was awesome,” Carroll said. “I hope we see a lot of that.”

Brady’s back

Minority owner Tom Brady was once again in attendance Saturday, taking in the mock game from the sideline.

Carroll said his presence has been a big boost for the team.

“It’s hard to describe, honestly,” the coach said of the impact. “He met with us a little (Friday) and to see the look in the guys’ eyes and his ability to capture them is remarkable. He’s a great asset to us and I can’t say enough about him.”

Some players may have been a bit less starstruck than others, however.

“I really haven’t talked to Tom,” linebacker Germaine Pratt said Friday. “Last time I really saw Tom was when I caught an interception on him.”

Pratt has a good memory. One of his seven career interceptions came in a 34-23 Bengals’ win over the Buccaneers on Dec. 18, 2022.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.