Jets’ Jermaine Johnson offers promising damage replace

NEW ORLEANS — Jermaine Johnson is able to go.

The Jets defensive finish mentioned he might be again on the sector when OTAs begin this spring after tearing his proper Achilles tendon in Week 2 of final season.

“I’ll be able to go by OTAs,” Johnson mentioned right here throughout a promotional look for Bounty towels. “I spoke to the doc on Saturday and he mentioned all the things appears excellent. He mentioned that factor ain’t re-tearing. Every little thing is trying good. The explosion is coming again. I’m excited.”

Jermaine Johnson says he'll be ready for the start of Jets OTAs. — Jermaine Johnson says he’ll be prepared for the beginning of Jets OTAs. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Submit

Johnson, 26, went down final season towards the Titans as he was chasing quarterback Will Levis. Johnson mentioned he knew instantly the damage was unhealthy and he was undecided he’d be sturdy sufficient to take care of a season-ending damage.

“Once I was on the sector and I used to be down, I simply began bawling as a result of I wasn’t going to have the ability to be there for my guys,” Johnson mentioned. “I used to be like, ‘Rattling, I can’t step up for them. I’ve simply acquired to look at from the sidelines.’ Once we have been going again to the locker room to do the exams, I stored saying, ‘Please God. I’m not sturdy sufficient to take care of an Achilles.’ I’m excited about months and months and months of the identical factor. However I can do that. I’m a lot stronger than I believed I used to be.”

Johnson was coming off a Professional Bowl season in 2023 and was anticipated to be an enormous piece of the Jets protection. His damage was an enormous blow to the group, which took a step again in 2024. Johnson referred to as the damage “the worst factor ever,” however mentioned he’s grateful that he discovered he was stronger than he thought.

Jermaine Johnson Invoice Kostroun/New York Submit

New Jets coach Aaron Glenn has already reached out to Johnson and he mentioned he has been impressed by his new coach.

“I’m excited,” Johnson mentioned. “He looks as if an excellent chief of males, an excellent soccer thoughts. He’s performed it at a excessive stage and he’s performed it in New York. That’s a hell of a man to comply with for this place.”