Quarterback Brock Purdy, who helped lead the San Francisco 49ers to a 33-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, was eight years old when journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson entered the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 49ers are signing Johnson to be Purdy's backup for the remainder of the season.
49ers are signing QB Josh Johnson off the Broncos practice squad and on to their 53-man roster, per sources. During his 13 years in the NFL, Johnson has been a member of 14 different teams, the most for a player in league history. This will be his third stint with the 49ers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 5, 2022
The 49ers have lost two starting quarterbacks this season. Trey Lance went down with a season-ending ankle injury during Week 2. Garoppolo suffered a broken foot against the Dolphins and will undergo season-ending surgery.
That will leave Purdy as the team's starter, with Johnson and practice squad player Jacob Eason serving as the remaining 49ers quarterbacks.
Johnson has been around the league. This is his fourth stint with the 49ers. His previous ones came in 2012, 2014, and 2020-21. He has also spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, Houston Texans, then-Oakland Raiders, Washington, Detroit Lions, and finally, the Denver Broncos.
Johnson has appeared in 37 games with nine starts over his lengthy NFL career. He has passed for 2,270 yards with 13 touchdowns and 16 interceptions during that span and is 1-8 as a starter.