NEW ORLEANS — Jermaine Johnson is able to go.
The Jets defensive finish mentioned he will probably 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 every thing seems good. He mentioned that factor ain’t re-tearing. Every part is trying good. The explosion is coming again. I’m excited.”
Johnson, 26, went down final season in opposition to the Titans as he was chasing quarterback Will Levis. Johnson mentioned he knew instantly the harm was unhealthy and he was undecided he’d be sturdy sufficient to cope with a season-ending harm.
“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 observe from the sidelines.’ Once we have been going again to the locker room to do the assessments, I stored saying, ‘Please God. I’m not sturdy sufficient to cope with an Achilles.’ I’m serious 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 a giant piece of the Jets protection. His harm was a giant blow to the group, which took a step again in 2024. Johnson known as the harm “the worst factor ever,” however mentioned he’s grateful that he came upon he was stronger than he thought.
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 a terrific chief of males, a terrific soccer thoughts. He’s executed it at a excessive stage and he’s executed it in New York. That’s a hell of a man to observe for this place.”
