Will Jermaine Johnson Injury Prompt Jets to Call Haason Reddick?

By doing nothing, Haason Reddick is accomplishing something. Mostly, gaining leverage.

While the New York Jets' potential pass-rusher sits and waits silently for a new contract, the need for him to show up seemingly goes greater by the week. In the opener the Jets had no pass rush and no answers in a blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers. And on Sunday returning sack leader Jermaine Johnson suffered a season-ending torn Achilles.

That leaves a thin group even more depleted. In two games opposing quarterbacks have dropped back to pass 57 times and only been sacked six times. (Will McDonald IV did get to Tennessee Titans' quarterback Will Levis three times in Sunday's win in Nashville.)

Unfortunately - or fortunately? - for the Jets, Reddick could immediately solve the problem. A Robert Saleh defense that relies on heavy pressure from the front four isn't sustainable without it.

The Jets need Reddick. And Reddick needs to play.

Related: Jets Locker Room Emotional Response to Jermaine Johnson's Potential Season-Ending Injury

His holdout - more accurately, he's never even reported since the March trade - has already cost the veteran $7 million and every week he misses costs him another $800,000.

Deadlines make deals. And sometimes so does desperation.

The Jets play the New England Patriots in their home opener Thursday night at MetLife Stadium.