Jermaine Johnson Progresses in Achilles Rehab, Expected to Return for Jets’ Week 1

Jermaine Johnson is working his way back after a torn Achilles tendon ended his 2024 season almost as soon as it started. The New York Jets linebacker got injured in Week 2 during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. He was chasing quarterback Will Levis when he engaged with running back Julius Chestnut, landed hard on his right foot, took one step with his left, and then went down. It didn’t look serious at first, but it turned out to be a full Achilles tear.

At the time, Johnson was coming off a strong 2023 season. He had started all 17 games and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl. That year, he recorded 55 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, seven passes defended, one fumble recovery, and one interception.

Now, nine months after the injury, Johnson is still not practicing, but he’s making progress. During the Jets’ three-day mandatory minicamp at the Atlantic Health Training Center in Florham Park, he stayed on a side field with trainers. There, he was seen pulling a weighted sled as part of his rehab. Head coach Aaron Glenn said Johnson might start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, though he should be ready in time for the regular season.

Glenn knows Johnson well. He coached him at the 2022 Senior Bowl and has spoken highly of him. Glenn called Johnson a tough, physical player who is athletic and aggressive. He said Johnson has the strength to stop the run and the quickness to rush the quarterback, which is rare in one player.

Even though Johnson hasn’t returned to full team activities, he’s staying involved with his teammates. He’s part of a defensive line group that includes Quinnen Williams, Will McDonald, and new free-agent addition Rashad Weaver. Weaver said the group works well together and enjoys learning from each other.

The Jets also showed how much they value Johnson by picking up his fifth-year option this offseason, which guarantees him $13.4 million for the 2026 season. General manager Darren Mougey and the new front office made that decision even though Johnson has been out with an injury. Johnson said it meant a lot and showed the team believes in him – now he wants to do his part. He mentioned the hardest part of getting injured was feeling like he let his teammates down, further explaining that he wants the pressure and to be counted on to make plays. Being sidelined made him feel like he couldn’t live up to that responsibility. But he also said he understood that injuries are part of the game.

This was the first serious injury of Johnson’s career, and it gave him a new perspective. He said he always wondered if he had the mental strength to recover from something like this. Now that he’s gone through it, he feels more confident. He said he’s always been patient, and this process showed him that he can handle setbacks.

Johnson also stayed in touch with Aaron Rodgers, his former Jets teammate who now plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rodgers tore his own Achilles in Week 1 of the 2023 season and reached out to Johnson after his injury. Johnson said Rodgers told him to stay calm and that he had a long career ahead of him – advice that would go on to help him approach rehab with more confidence.

The Jets open the 2025 season at home against the Steelers. If Johnson is ready, it will be his first game back. Rodgers will be on the other sideline, and Johnson said he’s looking forward to the matchup. He said it will be emotional for him, but he also made it clear that once the game starts, there are no friends on the field. He said he believes Rodgers feels the same way.

While he’s still in recovery, Johnson is starting to feel like himself again. He said he’s been running and moving well. He even joked that during his time away from football, he learned to fix things around the house and no longer needed to hire anyone from TaskRabbit.