Another year, another Achilles tear hampers the New York Jets.
On Monday, edge rusher Jermaine Johnson confirmed that he suffered a torn Achilles in Sunday’s victory over the Tennessee Titans.
The injury is a blow to Gang Green, whose edge rush corps started the season shallow sans hold-out Haason Reddick. In two weeks, Reddick has seen his leverage in the contract standoff increase each game.
Entering Year 3, the Jets expected a big campaign from Johnson, who generated 7.5 sacks in 17 starts in 2023. Alas, the former first-round pick's season was sideswiped after just 82 snaps.
With Johnson out and Reddick still at home, the Jets defense now has even bigger questions on the edge. Gang Green will need 2023 first-round pick Will McDonald to build on the best game of his young career. McDonald generated 3.0 sacks Sunday in Tennessee, the first Jets player with 3.0+ sacks in a game since safety Jamal Adams in Week 11, 2019.
He also became the first Jets player with 3.0+ sacks and 1+ forced fumble in a single game since Muhammad Wilkerson in Week 14, 2015, also against the Titans.
