Jets Give Rough Early Diagnosis on Jermaine Johnson Injury

The New York Jets may have won their first game of the 2024 season Sunday afternoon, but the cost for that win certainly wasn't what the organization was hoping for.

New York's 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans overshadowed a concerning injury to former first-round edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, who was carted off the field in the third quarter with the score tied at 17.

Now, after the win, it turns out Johnson's injury could be far worse than the team feared.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh said after the game that the expectation was that Johnson had suffered a torn Achilles - effectively ending his season just two games in.

A full diagnosis will be made on Monday with further testing.

New York was expected to rely on Johnson as a top player going into his third season. He had recorded 7.5 sacks last season and seemed like a player poised for a breakout campaign.

“Losing 11 is like losing a heartbeat for this team,” Solomon Thomas said after the loss.

Now, though, the Jets are down to Michael Clemons, Takk McKinley, and Will McDonald as drafted edge rushers moving forward through the year. McDonald did record three sacks in Sunday's win, but the absence of Haason Reddick is certainly something that could change the conversation overall.

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In Johnson's case, an ascending player will now spend the rest of the year recovering from an Achilles injury for the Jets. It's a heartbreaking moment for everyone involved.