Long-time NFL cornerback Johnathan Joseph announced his retirement from football on his Twitter account on Thursday after a 15-year career. Joseph was a first-round pick (24th overall) of the Cincinnati Bengals out of South Carolina in 2006. Joseph spent the first five years of his career in Cincinnati before joining the Houston Texans, where he was named a Pro Bowler in his first two seasons in 2011 and 2012. The 37-year-old spent the next nine seasons in Houston before playing with the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans in 2020. In 211 career games (192 starts), Joseph recorded 787 tackles (670 solo), 32 interceptions (seven for touchdowns), 200 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries (one for a TD).
The Tennessee Titans released veteran cornerback Johnathan Joseph on Tuesday. The 15-year veteran defensive back made it just seven games into his Tennessee tenure before being let go. A two-time Pro Bowler with the Texans in 2011 and 2012, Joseph had 28 tackles (24 solo), one interception, four passes defensed and one forced fumble for the Titans this year, but he was roasted in the loss to the Bengals in Week 8 and was let go on Tuesday as a result. The Titans Defense as a fantasy unit hasn't been much to look at in 2020, ranking 25th in the league in overall points, 31st in the league with seven sacks and they've also given up the seventh-most passing yards per game (277.6). They'll be a sleeper streaming unit in Week 9, though, against a Bears offense that hasn't found their rhythm with Nick Foles under center.
The Tennessee Titans are signing cornerback Johnathan Joseph to an undisclosed deal on Wednesday. Joseph stays within the division after spending the last nine seasons with the Texans. He was a Pro Bowler in 2011 and 2012 but has fallen off recently and just turned 36 years old. Joseph will likely play a rotational role in Tennessee's secondary after recording 51 tackles (43 solo), one interception and 13 passes defensed in his final year in Houston in 2019 in 14 games (11 starts). He won't be on the radar in IDP leagues at defensive back.
The Houston Texans and cornerback Johnathan Joseph have agreed to mutually part ways after nine seasons together. Joseph will leave the team as the franchise's all-time leader in interceptions (17), passes defensed (118), interception return yards (410) and interceptions returned for touchdowns (four) while ranking tied for third in games played (133) and fifth in total tackles (482). He ranks sixth in career passes defensed (194) in NFL history and has the most games with multiple passes defensed (50). Joseph will turn 36 years old later this month, but he'll likely see plenty of interest on the open market. The veteran had 13 passes defensed, an interception and 51 tackles in 14 games for the Texans last season.
Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (hamstring) is questionable for Week 7 against the Colts, but he's expected to return and will likely be tasked with slowing down wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. Cornerback Bradley Roby (hamstring) is questionable but is not expected to play. Safety Tashaun Gipson (hip) is questionable but is expected to play. It's good news that the Texans will have both Joseph and Gipson in their secondary, but Houston's defense/special teams is a low-upside fantasy streamer during bye weeks.
Texans Secondary Could Get Key Pieces Back After Bye
The Houston Texans are hopeful that both cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph (ankle, knee) and Aaron Colvin (ankle) will be able to return in Week 11 against the Redskins after their bye. Joseph was out in Week 9 with a sprained knee and sprained ankle, but he's optimistic he'll return after the bye. Colvin has missed the last five games with a sprained ankle but has been practicing and is confident he'll be able to play after the week off. Houston's secondary has been stretched thin without Colvin and Joseph, but it looks like they'll be closer to full strength in Week 11. They'll have a great matchup with the beat up and mediocre Redskins offense in Week 11.
The Houston Texans agreed to bring back cornerback Johnathan Joseph on a two-year deal, according to a source. In what was a bad Houston secondary in 2017, Joseph was the lone bright spot, combining for 47 tackles, two interceptions and nine passes defensed.
Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph, who is a pending free agent, is expected to return to the Texans this season. Texans general manager Brian Gaine said that he is considering a new deal for Joseph at the combine. Joseph is open to staying in Houston, but he is coming off a down year where he made $6.5 million. The Texans want Joseph to take a team-friendly deal to return.
