Practicing in a red noncontact jersey, Buffalo Bills nickel cornerback Taron Johnson took some caution during Tuesday’s round of OTAs. He’s still recovering from surgery.
“I tore my labrum last year, so after the season, I got it repaired,” Johnson told The Buffalo News.
Buffalo Bills defensive back Taron Johnson during practice at One Bills Drive on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
Derek Gee/Buffalo News
Johnson said he tore his labrum during the AFC divisional round against the Baltimore Ravens. He was on the injury report the following week, ahead of the AFC championship game versus the Kansas City Chiefs, but Johnson played 94% of defensive snaps when the game rolled around.
Now, a few months later, his shoulder is doing well.
“Feels good, pretty much feels close to normal,” Johnson said Tuesday, gesturing to his left shoulder. “So, that's all I can really ask for, being healthy before training camp, so I can fully train and get ready for the season.”
Teammates aren’t shocked to see the comeback.
“It (doesn’t) surprise me, like, how fast he’s recovering and stuff like that, just because that's just who he is,” defensive back Ja’Marcus Ingram said. “… Seeing him back out there, like, it gets me hype.”
Ingram said Johnson “means everything” to the Bills.
Johnson, who earned All-Pro second-team honors in 2023, is a cornerstone of the Bills’ defense. Only linebacker Matt Milano has been around this defensive unit longer.
This time last year, after signing a three-year contract extension with the Bills, Johnson spoke about how he was trying to be a more vocal leader for the team. A year later, his goal is to keep building.
“Man, I'm just trying to be a better leader,” Johnson said. “Talk more. Know everyone's position, obviously not just my own, and be able to help, help the guys, the young guys that are out there with me, and being someone they can look to in order for guidance.”
Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich thinks that anytime his expectations are higher for a player than that player’s own individual expectations, there’s a problem. That’s never been the case with Johnson.
“I think Taron's a guy you don't have to challenge,” Babich said. “Taron is constantly challenging himself. Taron wants to be the best nickel on the planet Earth. And he works that way. He's tough. He's smart. He's gone through a lot of things here in Buffalo that have helped him to have success.
“So, I think, Taron knows the things that he needed improve on from last year. And like we said, you build on your strengths and then whatever his weaknesses were last year, he certainly has identified and been made aware of where we need to improve.”
Johnson has tangible areas that he’s looking to improve.
“My man coverage, my understanding of offenses, and whatever I can do to take the ball away more,” Johnson said. “That's definitely my goal.”
Still, the eighth-year nickel cornerback knows that takeaways can be dependent on opportunity. His job is to make sure he’s as prepared as possible and in the right place when the opportunity arises. Johnson had two interceptions last season, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
As he gears up for next season, Johnson is having a lot of fun. The reunion with cornerbacks Tre’Davious White and Dane Jackson has been a boon for Johnson.
“I feel like it just makes it a joy to come to work,” Johnson said. “It's a joy to come to work, happy to be on the field. I feel like when you don't have that environment, like it's hard, like the season is hard. The practices are hard, the games are hard.
“So, it's like having those moments where stuff's fun and you have a real brotherhood like that makes it that much better.”
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