Johnson, listed as the top backup to rookie starter Kevin Smith, was signed by the Lions on Tuesday after he was waived by Cincinnati on Aug. 30.

Johnson and Smith are expected to be Detroit's featured backs, though Johnson missed much of training camp and the preseason with a hamstring injury.

The Falcons' inactive list included defensive back Domonique Foxworth, acquired from Denver for a conditional 2009 seventh-round draft pick on Tuesday, and defensive tackle Jason Jefferson, who was claimed off waivers from Buffalo on Aug. 31.

Center Alex Stepanovich, who competed for a starting job before he was slowed by a back injury, also was on Atlanta's inactive list.

Detroit players listed as inactive included cornerback Ramzee Robinson, linebacker Gilbert Gardner, offensive guard Manny Ramirez, defensive tackles Landon Cohen and Andre Fluellen and defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis. Drew Stanton was the designated No. 3 quarterback.

Other players on the Falcons' inactive list were tight end Martrez Milner, offensive tackle Quinn Ojinnaka, linebacker Tony Gilbert and defensive end Simon Fraser. D.J. Shockley, who beat out Joey Harrington on Atlanta's last roster cuts, was the No. 3 quarterback.