The Jets placed Johnson (Achilles) on injured reserve Thursday. Johnson is done for the year after suffering a torn right Achilles' tendon in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Titans, so his placement on IR doesn't come as a surprise. The standout defensive end's injury takes on particular severity for New York due to edge rusher Haason Reddick's ongoing holdout, but for the time being, Will McDonald and Micheal Clemons appear primed to start at defensive end Thursday versus the Patriots. Johnson will turn his full attention toward making a recovery for the 2025 season.
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Status
IR - Achilles - Surgery Expected Return: 2025-02-10Latest Jermaine Johnson news
Team
New York Jets
Birthdate
1/7/1999 (25)
Status
Injured Reserve
HT/WT
6'5", 254 lbs
Draft Info
2022: Rd 1; Pk (NYJ)
Birthplace
Eden Prairie, MN, USA
Position
LB
College
Florida State
Experience
3 seasons
Career History
New York Jets
2022-Present
(3 seasons)
The Jets placed Johnson (Achilles) on injured reserve Thursday. Johnson is done for the year after suffering a torn right Achilles' tendon in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Titans, so his placement on IR doesn't come as a surprise. The standout defensive end's injury takes on particular severity for New York due to edge rusher Haason Reddick's ongoing holdout, but for the time being, Will McDonald and Micheal Clemons appear primed to start at defensive end Thursday versus the Patriots. Johnson will turn his full attention toward making a recovery for the 2025 season.
Johnson confirmed Monday via his Instagram account that he suffered a torn Achilles in Sunday's win over the Titans, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports. The news was expected but is still a blow for Johnson and the Jets' defense, especially with Haason Reddick's continued holdout. This will leave New York without both of their expected starters on the edges and calling upon their depth to generate a pass rush moving forward. Johnson will likely be placed on IR soon and start focusing on his recovery, including surgery to repair his Achilles.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh said that Johnson likely tore his right Achilles' tendon during Sunday's 24-17 win over the Titans, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports. Johnson went down with a non-contact injury in the third quarter, and after being checked out extensively by trainers, he was carted off the field. He will undergo additional tests, but if the torn Achilles' tendon is confirmed, Johnson will require season-ending surgery. Johnson's injury takes on greater importance to the Jets' ongoing stalemate with defensive end Haason Reddick, leaving the team without two of its top edge rushers. Will McDonald and Takkarist McKinley are the likely candidates to move into Johnson's starting spot at defensive end opposite Micheal Clemons for the Jets' Week 3 matchup with the Patriots.
Johnson has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against Tennessee due to an Achilles injury, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports. Johnson's foot got stuck in the turf during a Will Levis 21-yard scramble in the third quarter, and the former was carted off the field after being checked on by trainers, per Albert Breer of SI.com. It's a big blow for the Jets' defense as Haason Reddick continues to hold out for a contract extension. Will McDonald and Takkarist McKinley will see more snaps at defensive end alongside starter Micheal Clemons with Johnson sidelined for the rest of Sunday's game.
Johnson had two sacks entering Week 8 and was able to match that total thanks to two takedowns of Tommy DeVito in the last two minutes of the second quarter. Johnson leads the team with four sacks on the season and will look to add to that total in Week 9 against the Chargers on Monday night.