Johnson has announced his retirement, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Johnson was never the pass-rushing threat that most teams look for in a 3-4 outside linebacker, but he still managed to play 184 games over 12 seasons for the Baltimore Ravens and San Diego Chargers. He was a solid run defender for both teams, and he finishes his career with 506 tackles (350 sacks) and 25.5 sacks.

Johnson will return to action this Sunday at Buffalo after missing the Seahawks game to attend the birth of his baby girl, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Baby and mother are both healthy and happy, and Johnson will be back on the field with his teammates on Sunday. "It's a unique situation, and it ended up perfectly, especially with the way the guys played," said Johnson of missing his team's upset win over the defending champs.

Chargers OLB Jarret Johnson has agreed to take a pay cut.

Johnson was previously scheduled to earn a $4 million salary and count $5.5 million against the cap in the third year of a four-year, $19 million deal. He'll now earn a $1 million base and a $2 million signing bonus, clearing $1 million in cap space. The 32-year-old has recorded just 4.5 sacks in 26 games with San Diego.

Chargers OLB Jarret Johnson underwent left hand surgery earlier this week.

Johnson injured the hand against the Dolphins in Week 11 and is in a cast. There's no timetable for his return. Johnson had already missed three games earlier this year due to a hamstring injury. "It's by far my toughest year personally," he said. "It's frustrating. It's tough when the team needs help and you can't help."

Chargers declared OLB Jarret Johnson, QB Brad Sorensen, WR Lavelle Hawkins, SS Brandon Taylor, OT Mike Remmers, OT Nick Becton and OT Steve Schilling.

Chargers OLB Jarret Johnson (hamstring) is questionable for Monday night's game against the Colts.

Johnson wasn't able to practice this week, but did some running on the side Saturday. The Chargers have yet to rule him out for Week 6 and his status will likely come down to a game-time decision.

Chargers OLB Jarret Johnson exited Week 5 against the Raiders with a right leg injury.

Johnson was unable to put any weight on his leg and is done for the game. With Dwight Freeney already out for the season, his loss would be another major blow to the Chargers' defense.

Chargers signed OLB Jarret Johnson, formerly of the Ravens, to a four-year contract.

The Ravens wanted Johnson, but not enough to keep him in Purple. Jets coach Rex Ryan was also interested in reuniting with Johnson. Turning 30 in August, Johnson has established a niche as one of the league's most effective outside linebackers against the run and least effective in reaching the quarterback. He won't fill San Diego's need for a pass rusher, but he can form an effective tag-team with Antwan Barnes. Johnson will also add a hard edge to a defense that had gone soft.

The Ravens have "remained in touch" with free agent LB Jarret Johnson.

The Ravens have informed Johnson they'd like to re-sign him, but admitted it will be difficult due to his expected interest in free agency. Unless the soon-to-be 31-year-old linebacker is greeted by an unexpectedly soft market, he will be moving on from Baltimore.

Jarret Johnson confirmed that his agent has not held any recent discussions about returning to the Ravens.

"I'm sure they have talked," said Johnson. "But there is nothing active going on. The Ravens will be in the mix. I have been there so long. I have a lot of friends on the team, so it's natural that I would want to stay there. I know how this business works and I know how Ozzie works. The body of work is there for them to judge." A Rex Ryan favorite, the Jets and Colts are among the teams that have expressed in signing Johnson this offseason.

The New York Daily News reports that the Jets will pursue free agent SLB Jarret Johnson when the market opens.

Johnson wouldn't give the Jets the explosive, every-down edge rusher they've lacked throughout Rex Ryan's tenure, but he knows the scheme and would be a natural fit. Johnson is a longtime Ryan favorite, and has experience at three linebacker positions (inside and outside in a 3-4, and strong-side 'backer in a 4-3.). Johnson is 30 years old, but has started 89 straight games.

The Baltimore Sun expects the Ravens to make an "aggressive bid" to re-sign free agent ILB Jameel McClain, but considers free agent SLB Jarret Johnson more likely to return.

According to a report by Pro Football Weekly, the Colts are expected to target ''at least one'' of the Ravens' free agents to help rebuild their defense.

In other words, the Colts are targeting Jarret Johnson. A nine-year veteran, Johnson's production slipped during his age-30 campaign, but his versatility projects as an ideal addition for Pagano's hybrid 3-4 schemes. Restricted free agent CB Lardarius Webb could also receive interest from the Colts if the Ravens decide not retain Webb with a one-year tender for 2012.

The Carroll County Times believes the Ravens would "ideally" like to re-sign free agent SLB Jarret Johnson.

Johnson's production slipped during his age-30 campaign, but he has made it known he would like to return, and the Ravens don't have a compelling in-house option to replace him. It's more likely than not Johnson will be back for a 10th season in Baltimore.

Impending free agent SLB Jarret Johnson was the only Ravens player to show up to new defensive coordinator Dean Pees' introductory press conference.

Pees was Johnson's 2011 position coach, but his attendance could also be taken a sign that he wants badly for the Ravens to re-sign him. "Me being here today has nothing to do about my future," Johnson insisted. "It has everything to do with (Pees') future." Johnson is entering his age-31 campaign. It's fair to wonder if Pees may want to go younger at his position.

Free agent SLB Jarret Johnson would like to re-sign in Baltimore, but realizes the Ravens may want to go younger on defense.

Johnson garnered defensive player of the week honors back in October, but eventually lost nickel-down duties to Paul Kruger. It's interesting to note that Pro Football Focus graded Johnson as the stoutest 4-3 run defender at outside linebacker, but the least effective pass rusher by a wide margin.

Ravens SLB Jarret Johnson was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 4.

Johnson and Terrell Suggs are playing as well as any outside linebacker duo in the NFL. Johnson returned a fumble 26 yards for a touchdown, had two quarterback hits and three tackles against the Jets last week. Jets coach Rex Ryan says Johnson is so underrated that the Ravens coaching staff used to laugh about it. Suggs and Ray Lewis won Defensive Player of the Week honors in Weeks 1 and 3.

Though Ravens SLB Jarret Johnson (back spasms) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, he fully expects to play.

Said Johnson after Friday's practice, "I'm good, I'm good to go." The last time Johnson missed a game due to injury was 7 years ago.

Ravens SLB Jarret Johnson declared himself "One hundred percent" recovered from offseason shoulder surgery.

"Had a good offseason," he said. "I'm ready to go." It looks like he'll avoid active/PUP. One of the most underrated linebackers in the game, Johnson ranked third on the Ravens in tackles last season and second in sacks.

Ravens SLB Jarret Johnson is right on schedule in his return from offseason shoulder surgery.

Johnson played through a torn labrum in 2009, which is more serious than the routine scope that we originally suspected. He'll need to regain weight and strength after dropping 15 pounds since the surgery. Johnson is expected to see time inside this year, with rookie Sergio Kindle entering as a pass rushing specialist.