Jeremiah Johnson (gridiron football)

Jeremiah Alex Johnson (born February 15, 1987) is an American gridiron football running back for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Oregon.

Johnson has been a member of the Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Toronto Argonauts, and Ottawa Redblacks.

Early years
Johnson played high school football at Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, California. Going into his senior season, he was regarded as one of the top three running backs in his region. During his final two years at Dorsey High School, he made up a running back tandem with future USC tailback Stafon Johnson, who was one year his junior.

College career
In Johnson's senior year at Oregon, he carried the ball 168 times to rush for 1201 yards, the sixth-highest total in team history. With 2,336 yards total at Oregon, he finished sixth all-time. He was mainly used in a tandem running attack with current Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart during his career at Oregon, but in his senior season led the team after Stewart's departure to the NFL as a junior. He helped lead the 2008 Oregon Ducks to a victory in the Holiday Bowl against Oklahoma State by rushing for 119 yards with a touchdown.

Houston Texans
After going undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft, Johnson signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a separated shoulder on August 6.

Washington Redskins
Johnson was signed to the Washington Redskins' practice squad on October 26, 2010, and released on October 27.

Carolina Panthers
Johnson was signed to the Carolina Panthers' practice squad on November 17, 2010, and released on December 2.

Denver Broncos
Johnson was signed to the Denver Broncos' practice squad on December 8, 2010, and released on September 3, 2011, but was re-signed to the practice squad the following day and later promoted to the active roster on September 16. He made his debut that week, only to be waived on September 20. Johnson was re-signed to the practice squad on September 22, 2011. With the announcement that running back Knowshon Moreno was out for the 2011 season on November 14, 2011, Johnson had been promoted by the Broncos to be their third running back on the active roster. On August 31, 2013, he was released by the Denver Broncos.

Toronto Argonauts
On January 8, 2014, Johnson signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Johnson played in 5 games with the Argos in 2014. He carried the ball 21 times for 110 yards (5.2 average). Johnson was released by the Argonauts on August 26, 2014.

Ottawa Redblacks
Johnson signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on September 15, 2014. After signing with Redblacks halfway through the 2014 season he went on to play in 5 more games before the end of the regular season. On October 31 against the Tiger-Cats, he had a breakout performance, rushing for 131 yards on 17 carries, with 2 touchdowns. He finished the 2014 season with 238 rushing yards on 38 carries (6.3 average), with 2 rushing touchdowns. Johnson began the 2015 CFL season as the back-up tailback behind Chevon Walker. The Redblacks released Walker prior to Week 10, making Jeremiah Johnson the feature back. In the first 3 games following Walker's departure, Johnson accumulated 329 yards from scrimmage and scored 7 of Ottawa's 10 touchdowns. Johnson started a total of 6 games for the Redblacks in the 2015 campaign before his season was cut short after a suffering a dislocated foot. His season totals for the 2015 season were 97 carries for 448 yards (4.6 average) with 9 rushing touchdowns: He also contributed 42 pass receptions for 267 receiving yards.

BC Lions
Johnson signed with the BC Lions as a free agent on February 10, 2016. Johnson was the Lion primary running back in his first season with the club, splitting some carries with Anthoney Allen. Johnson set career highs in carries (138) and rushing yards (809) in 2016, finishing the season fifth in rushing yards. Following the 2016 season Johnson was due to become a free agent on February 14, 2017 and will now be with the Lions through at least 2018.

Montreal Alouettes
On May 21, 2019, Johnson signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.