Johnson tore his Achilles on Sunday.
The New York Jets will be without one of their best defenders on Thursday night against the New England Patriots. Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II, who was named a Pro Bowl alternate after a 7.5-sack season in 2023, suffered a torn Achilles tendon during his team’s win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
NFL reporter Jordan Schultz was first to report the news.
Even though Johnson had yet to register a sack in 2024, the former first-round draft pick was his team’s most disruptive defender before going down. His seven quarterback pressures — all of them classified as hurries — still rank first on the team heading into Week 3.
The Patriots, of course, have struggled with pass protection so far this season. Aside from being sacked four times through two games, starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett has been under near-constant pressure: according to Pro Football Focus, he has been disrupted by the defense on 44.3 percent of his dropbacks.
The Week 3 meeting between the Patriots and Jets is set for an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff on Thursday.