The Jets' new season of optimism suffered a blow Thursday.
Free-agent addition Carl Lawson suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during Thursday's joint practice with the Packers, the Jets announced. Lawson will miss the 2021 season.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and NFL Network's Mike Garafolo had reported that Lawson would undergo an MRI after being carted off the practice field. The feared result came to fruition on Thursday afternoon.
Lawson arrived in New York as a much-needed improvement to the Jets' edge-rushing group, bringing with him a growing reputation for getting after the quarterback. Though Lawson's sack total (5.5 in 2020) hasn't quite matched up, his ability shines in Next Gen Stats, where he finished among the league's top disruptors with 60 total disruptions (one QB hurry, pressure or sack per play) in 2020. Lawson's disruption rate of 15.2 percent was stellar, landing him on our top 10 list of disruptors for 2020.
A good portion of the Jets' defensive ambitions were riding on Lawson's arrival and ability to pressure opposing passers.
Rookie safety Zane Lewis has already received the bad news after being carted off from Thursday's practice as well. Sources tell Rapoport that Lewis suffered a torn patella tendon and a sprained ACL. The Jets confirmed those fears by announcing Lewis would miss the 2021 season.
