Raiders Activate Rookie CB Isaiah Johnson
by Tom LaMarre
The Oakland Raiders activated rookie cornerback Isaiah Johnson to the 53-man roster on Monday, and in a corresponding move released veteran linebacker Brandon Marshall for the second time this season.
The 6-2, 210-pound Johnson was selected in the fourth round (No. 129 overall) by the Raiders in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Houston, but he spent the first eight weeks of the season on Reserve/Injured List because of a facial injury sustained a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Johnson was a four-year letterman at Houston, playing in 45 games from 2015-18, the first two seasons as a wide receiver before switching to cornerback. In 23 games over his last two seasons, he made 15 starts and was credited with 115 tackles (88 solo), four interceptions and 16 passes defensed.
The 6-1, 250-pound Marshall, who is in his eighth NFL season, was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Raiders during the offseason, but released at the end of the preseason before being re-signed last week.
Marshall was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round (No. 142 overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Nevada and played one season with the Jaguars before being released. Then he was signed by the Denver Broncos, with whom he played six seasons.
In Super Bowl 50 after the 2016 season, Marshall made five tackles as the Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers, 24-10.
