NEW YORK (AP) — Jermaine Johnson is officially back and ready to bolster the New York Jets' pass rush.
The edge rusher was activated from the active/physically unable to perform list Sunday after passing his physical 11 months after tearing his right Achilles tendon.
The 26-year-old Johnson, a Pro Bowl selection after the 2023 season, was injured in the third quarter of New York's 24-17 victory at Tennessee in Week 2 last season.
Coach Aaron Glenn said in June that the 2022 first-round draft pick out of Florida State was “close” to being ready for the start of training camp and would likely start on the physically unable to perform list, “but he’ll be ready for the season.”
Johnson is ready — and was activated in time for the Jets' joint practices with the Giants on Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of their preseason game Saturday night.
He'll also be in position to play in the regular-season opener at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers and former Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who offered Johnson advice about recovering from a torn Achilles tendon after Rodgers recovered from the same injury in his first season with New York in 2023. The two also texted during the offseason.
“It was a pleasure having Aaron around and stuff like that and I wish him the best,” Johnson said in June. “But when I get between those lines, there’s no friends. And I think he knows that and he feels the same, so I’m excited.
“It’s just another game, but for me, it’s going to be my first game back and there’s a lot of emotions. And when my emotions run high, I tend to play pretty well.”
Despite the uncertainty over the injury, Glenn and the Jets picked up Johnson's fifth-year contract option in April, along with those of fellow 2022 first-rounders Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson.
Johnson had 2 1/2 sacks in 14 games as a rookie after being drafted 26th overall before breaking out with 7 1/2 in 2023 while starting all 17 games for New York. He also had 16 quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss and returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown.
Then came the setback last season, just as he was blossoming into a force on the Jets’ defense.
Johnson's return comes as Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams continues to recover from a calf injury. He has missed the past two weeks of training camp, but should be close to returning.
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