Johnson finished the game with 8 tackles and a sack playing as the Panthers nickel CB.
Leonard Johnson dazzles in debut
"He had a lot of energy, and he played confident, like he's been out there the whole year," fellow cornerback Robert McClain said. "He was confident and played fundamentally sound."
Quarterback Cam Newton said Johnson brought a spark to the defense, something that didn't come as a surprise to players that have been around him since training camp but obviously hadn't seen him in game action.
Johnson had fresh legs but more importantly he brought some much needed energy.
"He had a lot of energy, and he played confident, like he's been out there the whole year," fellow cornerback Robert McClain said. "He was confident and played fundamentally sound."
Johnson gives me hope that once we get CB James Bradberry back the secondary won't be the liability it's been in the five losses. Of course 8 sacks is always a secondary's best friend. Johnson got the first sack of his career.
"I've never blitzed as much as I did today, so it was a bit surprising that I was able to get in and be that disruptive," he said.
He wasn't the only CB with a big game. Rookie CB Darryl Worley played a nice game as well. He led the team with 11 combined tackles, a sack, a QB hurry and pass breakup in the end zone that prevented a TD.
Today it looked like the 2015 Panthers are back.