Will Johnson debunks knee injury concerns in piece on The Players’ Tribune

Rookie Will Johnson is going to start at cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals after being drafted in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Once projected as a top 5 pick, Johnson slipped down draft boards after suffering an injury with six weeks left in his last season at Michigan.

He cleared the record about his injured knee in an article in The Player’s Tribune, also describing the experience of being in the green room on draft night and watching player after player step to the podium while waiting and listening for his name to be called.

Will Johnson says media ran with knee injury narrative

Johnson says he had cartilage removed from his knee over two years ago and that was what scared a lot of NFL teams. But the reason he missed the last few games at Michigan was for turf toe, not a knee injury.

“When I submitted my medical history, I knew some teams might feel some type of way about it, but no, the teams interested said they weren’t worried at all.”

Then the media started to pick it up right before Draft,” he said.

Johnson insists that he’s healthy. He insists his knee has been healthy ever since the cartilage was removed.

“I was good to go. Played two years on it and have had ZERO problems with it …. The reason I had to sit out last season was a bad case of turf toe. It had nothing to do with my knee — zero. I’m healthy guys,” he said.

Will Johnson’s experience on draft night

As for his experience on draft night, it did not go how he envisioned.

“It was a nerve-wracking situation to be in, but I also knew it was out of my control… I wondered how people were going to take it, but I chose to trust God,” Johnson wrote.

“Sitting in that green room waiting is more stressful than you think,” he said. “Watching team after team pass on you, knowing you’re better than some of the players they’re drafting — it’s a feeling that’s hard to put into words. The longer I was in there, the more uncomfortable I was.”

Cardinals right fit for Will Johnson

Then the Cardinals called and for Johnson, it seemed to be the missing puzzle piece.

A lot of his draft prep took place in Arizona and he said he was telling people that Arizona had become one of his favorite places.

“That’s when I realized that I’m going back to the place where I had spent the last few months working towards this moment — a place I love,” he said.

He ended his piece with a pretty positive note for Cardinals fans to digest:

“The Cardinals are building something special with their coaches, culture and players.

My mission is clear.

1. Prove everyone wrong.
2. Prove myself right.
3. Another ring to match the Natty.

Bookmark this.

This next chapter is for the ones who believed.”

The Cardinals start their season on Sept. 7 against the New Orleans Saints.

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