Ravens at Buccaneers: Halftime Report

Johnson Plunders Backup Role

Countless stories involving a long, winding journey sometimes climax with the protagonist finding what they were looking for at the very place they started. Time will tell if Johnson officially secured the role of Lamar Jackson's understudy with a sterling performance against the Buccaneers' starting defense, capping off a four-play, 80-yard trek with a touchdown strike. Johnson mostly stayed in the pocket during his preseason finale but the hints of a mobile game, even at 37, have to give him an edge when thinking about the medically unthinkable befalling Lamar Jackson.

Tread, Well

One of the linger talking points the final week of the preseason has to offer is the opportunity to check in on supposed draft busts as they attempt to reclaim the narrative on their respective careers. Laquon Treadwell, in Charm City after failing to live up to first-round billing in Minnesota, was the recipient of Johnson's touchdown on the opening drive and added another nine-yard grab to boot. Time will tell if his redemption tour will be allowed to continue, but he's at least proving himself worthy of continued professional endeavors.

Have Your Phil

Another name to keep an eye on over the final stages is linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips: the well-traveled linebacker racked up a respectable eight takedowns in the first half and is making a defensive name for himself after playing only one such snap last year. Some aren't optimistic about his chances of making the final roster again, but if the Ravens have a comeback ... and another preseason winning streak ... in them, expect Phillips to play a major role in its authoring.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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