The New York Jets won’t be operating with a full deck of cards when they hit the road to Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Head coach Robert Saleh announced during his Friday presser that defensive lineman Jermaine Johnson has been ruled out for the Week 6 matchup versus the Green Bay Packers.
DL Jermaine Johnson will miss Sunday’s game. Every other player will be a full participant at today’s practice.
Johnson originally hurt his ankle during the Week 5 home victory versus the Miami Dolphins. He will be reevaluated “daily” and Saleh says we’ll see “where he is at next week.”
Jermaine Johnson Will Have to Wait His Turn
Saleh indicated earlier in the week that the Johnson injury was “more serious” in nature.
The CBS broadcast crew described Johnson as walking with a “heavy limp” and described him as “distraught” from the pain he was in.
After the game, the former first-rounder was spotted in the locker room in a walking boot. The Jets have refused to reveal the specific nature of the injury but there is a belief it is some level of a sprain.
With Johnson out, he will be ineligible to compete for the prestigious Pepsi Rookie of the Week award.
Gang Green has dominated the honor through the first five weeks of the season with three different rookies winning the belt:
- Ahmad Gardner, cornerback: Week 5
- Breece Hall, running back: Week 4
- Garrett Wilson, wide receiver: Week 2
CB Ahmad Gardner (@iamSauceGardner) just became the third member of the #Jets to win the @pepsi Rookie of the Week honors through the first 5 weeks of the 2022 season.
He joins Breece Hall (@BreeceH) from Week 4 & Garrett Wilson (@GarrettWilson_V) from Week 2. #TakeFlight
Jermaine Johnson Has an Unbelievable Jets Ceiling
The Jets’ rookie draft class and youth on the roster are stepping up to the plate.
When you draft unproven players, you have no idea how quickly they will be able to pick up the NFL game, if at all.
All of the Gang Green draft choices are playing a ton and delivering, except for Johnson who is barely playing at all.
The former Florida State product has only played *checks notes* 30 percent of the defensive snaps so far this season.
Despite limited opportunities, Johnson has racked up some impressive statistics:
- 1.5 sacks
- 12 combined tackles
Johnson has shown some real pass-rush pop, but where he has really cut his teeth is in the run game.
According to Pro Football Focus, the former FSU product has a 74.6 run defense grade when he’s on the field.
What these numbers really show is Johnson would thrive if given more opportunities. The only problem is the Jets’ defensive line room is stacked so it’ll be a chore for Johnson to earn a larger slice of the pie.
However, when the cat’s away, the mice will play.
Good lord have mercy #Jets DL Micheal Clemons (@MichealClemonss) is a BAAAAAADDD MAN! #TakeFlight #NYGvsNYJ
It stinks that Johnson is hurt, but this now opens the door for fellow rookie Micheal Clemons to get some time in the spotlight.
The former Texas A&M product has only received 92 snaps on the season but has made things happen during those appearances.
Clemons has been spectacular in run defense with an 80.9 grade. He has also fared very well as a tackler, per Pro Football Focus.
Where the big man has struggled is in pass-rushing and pressure situations where he holds a lowly 53.2 grade.
However, all of this is being judged off of an incredibly small sample size.
With Johnson out, Clemons will get more whacks at the pinata and that should be another exciting piece to watch for this outstanding Jets rookie draft class.
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Jets Make Final Call on First Rounder’s Status vs. Packers