on november 8, 2015, johnson received his first start of the season and recorded a season-high six solo tackles and two pass deflections during a 17–16 victory over the atlanta falcons. on january 3, 2016, he earned a season-high seven combined tackles and defended a pass in the 49ers' 19–16 defeat of the st. louis rams. he finished the 2015 season with a total of 32 combined tackles (29 solo) and five pass deflections in three starts and 16 games. the san francisco 49ers opted to fire tomsula after they finished with a 5–11 record in 2015.