New York Jets’ defensive end Jermaine Johnson tore his fatal weakness in the right and will return to the NFL nearly a year later.
The Jets officially evacuated Johnson from the list of physically unable to perform on Sunday, confirming that he had passed the body and was now cleared out for practice.
Head coach Aaron Glenn has been preparing for a conflict with the Pittsburgh Steelers since the start of training camp, and that prospect remains the same.
“He’s following the agreement to prepare himself,” Glenn said last week. “Everyone has his own agreement. He understands that he’s working hard to come back, but we want to make sure he’s been there for a long time.”
Johnson was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he was injured in a game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 2 on September 15.
The setback happened after the 2023 breakout game, where he won the Pro Bowl as a 7.5 sack to replace the injury.
His comeback provides a timely boost to the Jets’ defensive front, and since July 31 he has also disappeared star tackle Quinnen Williams.
Williams is expected to return to the driving range soon, with an estimated recovery time of one to two weeks.
The Jets are preparing for the busy week, which includes two joint practices with the New York Giants ahead of Saturday night’s traditional preseason.
