NFL free agency: DT Austin Johnson reportedly returning to Giants

Veteran defensive tackle Austin Johnson is returning to the New York Giants, according to a published report.

Johnson, who will be 27 this season, played all 16 games for the Giants last season after signing with them as a free agent. A 2016 second-round draft choice, he spent his first four NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

Johnson had 18 tackles and 1 sack while playing 231 snaps, just 21 percent of the defensive snaps.

Johnson offers the Giants protection in the event they lose Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency, something that seems likely given that the Giants have only slightly more than $2 million in salary cap space as free agency has begun.

We are now in the midst of what is called the negotiating window, with teams unable to officially sign players under contract to other teams until 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Many deals, though, are already known.

The Giants, in an effort to create cap space, are working to sign Leonard Williams long-term and re-structure Nate Solder. Neither of those deals has yet come to fruition.

The terms of the deal have been reported, and it’s for somewhat more than might have been expected.