Jets' Jermaine Johnson out for season as Achilles tendon tear is confirmed
Jets linebacker Jermaine Johnson (11) is taken off the field in the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. Credit: AP/George Walker IV
The bad news that the Jets were bracing for was confirmed Monday. Jermaine Johnson tore his right Achilles tendon on Sunday and will miss the rest of the season.
The third-year edge rusher, who was injured in the third quarter of the Jets’ win at Tennessee, vowed to come back strong next season, but the Jets now have another big hole on the defensive line to fill.
The other belongs to Haason Reddick. His holdout over a contract dispute continues.
“We got the guys that we have in our room, guys that we love, the guys that we’ve been working with,” Robert Saleh said Monday. “Those are the guys we’re going to continue to work with until everyone figures it out.”
This puts a huge light on last year’s first-round pick, Will McDonald, who had three sacks in Sunday’s 24-17 victory.
McDonald is expected to start on one edge with Micheal Clemons on the other when the Jets play their home opener Thursday night against the Patriots. Takk McKinley will be a part of the rotation with Braiden McGregor and possibly Jalyn Holmes.
“It’s a huge loss, man,” defensive tackle Quinnen Williams said. “I think we have a bunch of good guys who are ready to step up and take on a greater role and just leave off on the field where Jermaine would have left.”
The Jets could be extremely shorthanded on defense against their AFC East rival. The availability of three other starters is in question on a short week.
Linebacker C.J. Mosley left Sunday’s game in the first half with a toe issue and didn’t return. Cornerback D.J. Reed did not play because of knee soreness. Nickel back Michael Carter II has a lingering ankle injury. He played only 45% of the snaps Sunday.
On Monday’s injury report, Mosley was listed as did not participate and Reed and Carter were listed as limited. It’s only an estimation because the Jets held a walk-through.
Jamien Sherwood would replace Mosley. Brandin Echols, who started for Reed and had an interception, and Isaiah Oliver are next men up at cornerback.
Losing Johnson is a tough blow. He finished second on the Jets last season in sacks (7.5) and tied for second in tackles for loss (11).
Johnson posted a video of himself on social media saying he’s “good” and “in great spirits.”
“We’re going to get back right,” he said. “This is just another opportunity to brag about what I came from. Let’s get it.”
The Jets envisioned having Johnson on one side with Reddick on the other and Williams and Javon Kinlaw on the interior as the starters in their rotation. Johnson’s injury could up the urgency for the Jets to get something done with Reddick. They have championship aspirations and an unproven group of edge rushers.
Reddick, acquired from Philadelphia in March, wants a new contract. General manager Joe Douglas has said he will not negotiate with Reddick until he shows up. He’s forfeiting nearly $800,000 for each game he misses and has been docked more than $3 million in fines and lost bonuses.
Saleh said he and Douglas talk all the time and that nothing has changed at this point.
“Joe knows exactly what we need and Joe knows exactly what’s on all of our minds,” Saleh said. “He’s very, very good at asking questions and understanding what we’re feeling, whatever angst, if any, at any position. But at the end of the day, there’s a business part of it. And that’s where we coach football and they do the business stuff.”
McDonald and Clemons were going to be part of the rotation. Now they’re starters. The Jets hope the quick and athletic McDonald can build off his best game as a pro. His three sacks matched his total as a rookie. His last one helped ice the game.
McDonald got to Will Levis on third down from the Jets’ 8 and brought him down for a 6-yard loss with 23 seconds to go. The Jets were especially encouraged by that one.
“The last sack was the one that was the most promising one in the sense that he won with power,” Saleh said. “If he can harness whatever he felt on that last sack, it’s going to lead to a lot more for him.”
Impressive young man
Rookie running back Braelon Allen, 20, became the youngest player in NFL history to score two touchdowns in the same game. He also was the youngest with a TD since the Packers’ Arnie Herber in 1930. Herber and Allen both were 20 years and 239 days old.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
