Practically a yr after tearing his proper Achilles, New York Jets defensive finish Jermaine Johnson is ready to make his return to the NFL discipline.
On Sunday, the Jets formally eliminated Johnson from the bodily unable to carry out checklist, confirming that he has handed his bodily and is now cleared to affix observe periods.
Head coach Aaron Glenn has maintained from the beginning of coaching camp that Johnson can be prepared for the Week 1 conflict in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that outlook stays unchanged.
“He’s going by the protocol of getting himself prepared,” Glenn mentioned final week. “Everybody has their very own protocol. He understands and he’s working his ass off to get again, however we wish to be sure we now have him for the lengthy haul.”
Johnson, chosen within the first spherical of the 2022 NFL Draft, suffered the harm on September 15 throughout a Week 2 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
The setback got here after a breakout 2023 marketing campaign during which he tallied 7.5 sacks and earned a Professional Bowl spot as an harm substitute.
His comeback gives a well timed increase to a Jets defensive entrance that has additionally been lacking star sort out Quinnen Williams, sidelined with a strained calf since July 31.
Williams is anticipated to be again on the observe discipline quickly, with a projected restoration time of 1 to 2 weeks.
The Jets are making ready for a busy week that features two joint observe periods with the New York Giants earlier than their conventional preseason assembly on Saturday evening.