After tearing his Achilles tendon, Jermaine Johnson has had a protracted recuperation period.
After 11 months of rehabilitation and attempts to return to the practice field, the Pro Bowl linebacker was eventually activated from the physically unable to perform list on Sunday.
Johnson is eager to go back, but he knows the Jets want to exercise caution.
Johnson remarked, “I trust them, but I feel ready to go.” They are backing the Ferrari off the truck a little gingerly at the moment, as I like to say. I get it, yet I’m prepared to leave.
Johnson was hoping to improve on his strong sophomore campaign from the previous season, when he recorded 7.5 sacks and was selected to the Pro Bowl. However, he tore his Achilles during a victory over the Titans in Week 2 and was sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Johnson found it most difficult to watch his teammates suffer during a 5–12 season that resulted in the firing of both his general manager, Joe Douglas, and coach, Robert Saleh.
While highlighting all of the tight games that Gang Green lost, Johnson remarked, “I know what kind of player I am, how much of a difference I could have made, as a teammate.” I am powerless to change it. That was most likely the most difficult task.
I prefer to think of the journey as a mountain, and you’re driving down a highway to reach it. It’s a long journey, and many men tend to focus on the mountain. It will take an eternity. I was only observing the ground pass’s stripes, one after the other, and realized that I would soon arrive at the peak. I’m looking forward to our upcoming visit.
The Jets made a number of significant offseason additions, including a new defensive coordinator in Steve Wilks, a new defensive system, a new coach in Aaron Glenn, and a new general manager in Darren Mougey. When a new regime takes power, certain players are concerned about their future.
But after Johnson served as his defensive coordinator in the 2022 Senior Bowl prior to the Jets selecting him in the first round, Glenn said he had faith in him. In April, Glenn and the Jets exercised his fifth-year option on his rookie contract, in part because of this.
“As soon as he arrived, he immediately expressed his excitement about coaching me and his high expectations for me,” Johnson stated. I was equally thrilled to inform him that those expectations would be fulfilled or beyond.
So, I’m thrilled.
Johnson was working to get back on the field at the Jets facility before he was given the all-clear to play. Following the Jets’ offseason youth movement led by Glenn and Mougey, he has also assumed a leadership role.
Johnson talked about what leadership means to him while preaching the conventional, technical things.
My veterinarians were excellent. I had guys like John Franklin-Myers and Cap C.J. [Mosley] who showed me how it should look, and now is my opportunity to sort of pay for and demonstrate them. Being a strong believer, I can’t wait to leave PUP and go out and show them. I will finally have the opportunity to lead by example.
It is now unclear when Johnson will be prepared to practice. Since receiving the all-clear from physicians, Johnson has resumed playing, but he has been working alone while his colleagues practice as a team.
Three weeks remain until the Jets’ season opener against the Steelers and former teammate Aaron Rodgers. When a player recovers from an Achilles tear, there may occasionally be an adjustment period, but Johnson doesn’t think excuses are acceptable.
He said, “I think I have a cheat code in my leg now.” I’m faster now because I have a powerful Achilles.
However, Glenn and the Jets staff are keeping their strategy for Johnson a secret.
Regarding Johnson, Glenn stated, “We have a plan for him and we want to bring him in at the right time. We don’t want to rush that player in.” That’s something that Moug [Mougey], Zuff [Jets head athletic trainer Dave Zuffelato], and I will keep discussing.
We want to make sure that we do a good job, and we make sure that we do that with him. Listen, I told him, it’s not about Week 1 or Week 2, it’s about the durability of his career. Every player recovering from an injury has a strategy, and we make sure to follow protocol to ensure that plan is successful, I remind them.
