Ex-Penn State standout’s rookie season ends with injury

When thinking of Penn State football and tight ends, many this fall have rightly focused on current Nittany Lions star Tyler Warren. However, at the next level, Warren’s predecessor, Theo Johnson, was quietly putting together a solid rookie campaign for the New York Giants. But Johnson’s standout year was cut short this weekend, as the former Nittany Lion suffered a season-ending injury against the Dallas Cowboys.

The New York Giants have not had much to cheer for this season. Former Giant and Penn State football great Saquon Barkley has been an MVP candidate for the rival Philadelphia Eagles. The team is on its third quarterback after releasing Daniel Jones and having Tommy DeVito be sidelined with an injury.

The 2-10 team may be having one of the worst seasons in franchise history. But one of the small bright spots this fall has been rookie fourth-round pick Theo Johnson.

Following the Giants’ Thanksgiving loss to the Dallas Cowboys, New York head coach Brian Daboll subsequently announced that Johnson had suffered a foot injury, which is likely season-ending.

Coach Brian Daboll added the promising rookie TE Theo Johnson is also likely done for the season with a foot injury. https://t.co/GHgnNxnL8S

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 29, 2024

Appearing in all 12 games and starting 11, Johnson totaled 29 receptions for 331 yards and a touchdown on the year.

In his Penn State football career, Johnson recorded 77 catches for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is third all-time in touchdown receptions by Nittany Lion tight ends. 

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Johnson, a Canadian, was a four-star and top-100 player in the class of 2020, per 247Sports. The 6-6 tight end spent four seasons in the Blue and White helping, the Penn State football to two ten-win seasons.

In his Penn State career, Johnson recorded 77 receptions for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns. At the NFL Combine, Johnson ran an impressive 4.57 40-yard dash, which helped him become a fourth-round pick before this season.

The news comes as a disappointment to many Giants fans. Johnson was a solid run blocker for an already bad offensive line. In addition, the rookie tight end’s role started to increase as the season went along.

All Penn State football and Giants fans can hope that 2025 will be an even better season for No. 84. 

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