HEADLINES

Jermaine Johnson

Jets Activate Jermaine Johnson From PUP List

August 10th, 2025 at 8:21pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson has taken another step in his return to the field after missing most of last season with a torn Achilles.

Johnson passed his physical and was activated from the active/physically unable to perform list on Sunday, per senior team reporter Eric Allen. For the first time since he was knocked out of the Jets’ Week 2 matchup against the Titans 11 months ago, Johnson will be available to join his teammates at practice on Monday.

However, the 2022 first-rounder will likely ramp up his participation as the regular season approaches. He has a little under a month to get back to game-ready condition, though the Jets have no intention of rushing him back.

“We want to make sure we have him for the long haul,” said Jets head coach Aaron Glenn (via Allen).

Before going down last year, Johnson was expected to take another leap after his Pro Bowl campaign in 2023. He recorded 7.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss while also knocking down seven passes and returning an interception for a touchdown. Micheal Clemons started in Johnson’s place in 2024 but only registered 4.5 sacks and four tackles for loss.

The Jets will be hoping that Johnson can quickly return to his 2023 form and pair with Will McDonald to form a dangerous edge-rushing duo after the latter’s breakout with 10.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/19/25

July 19th, 2025 at 8:08pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Jacksonville Jaguars

New England Patriots

New York Jets

Washington Commanders

  • Placed on active/NFI list: T Timothy McKay

The Cardinals were one of the two teams Barrs visited yesterday. His free agent workout clearly went well, and he will look to carve out a roster spot during training camp. Barrs, a former UDFA, has yet to make a regular season appearance.

Every player on a PUP or NFI list can be activated at any time, but their designations mean they are not cleared to practice at the start of their respective training camps. Notably, the Patriots’ list of PUP players does not include Stefon Diggs. The free agent addition was a candidate to begin camp on the PUP list, but New England’s decision to keep him on the active roster is an encouraging sign regarding his ACL recovery.

The Jets are taking a cautious approach with Jermaine Johnson, as the former first-rounder confirmed on X. An Achilles tear limited him to two games last year, but the Pro Bowler said on Saturday he is ready for on-field work. Activation well in advance of Week 1 should be expected in his case.

Jets’ Jermaine Johnson Expected To Be Ready For Week 1

June 16th, 2025 at 5:40pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is anticipating a Week 1 return from edge rusher Jermaine Johnson after he missed most of the 2024 season due to a ruptured Achilles, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.

Johnson did not participate in spring practices and will likely be placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp in July. He will have plenty of time to ramp up before rejoining the Jets’ new-look defense under Glenn.

The 2022 first-round pick injured his Achilles in Week 2 last year, interrupting his ascension after a 7.5-sack performance in 2023. Johnson underwent surgery from the same doctor that repaired then-teammate Aaron Rodgers‘ Achilles tear in 2023, per Cimini, and spent the rest of year on the sidelines. The pass rusher even acknowledged that the former Jets QB helped him “so much” as he navigated his introduction to rehab.

“The first thing he said was, ‘You’ll be good, you’ve got a 10-year-plus career. You’re all right, chalk it up,'” Johnson said (via Cimini). “It just kind of let me calm down a little bit and be able to gather myself, take it on the chin and handle it, and do a good job at it. So that’s how I’ve attacked it, and Aaron’s been a huge help.”

The Jets got little production from their other edge rushers during Johnson’s absence last year outside of 2023 first-rounder Will McDonald. McDonald took over a starting role after Johnson’s injury and broke out with a team-high 10.5 sacks after recording just three as a rookie.

While Johnson is sidelined during practice, the Jets can get an extended look at their depth options. The team used a fifth-round pick on Tyler Baron, and the Miami product could be penciled in as the first edge rusher off the bench. The team is also rostering the likes of Michael Clemons, Eric Watts, and Braiden McGregor.

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/17/24

October 17th, 2024 at 6:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

Thursday’s minor moves:

Denver Broncos 

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Watson could be claimed off waivers by any teams seeking backfield depth. If that does not take place, though, he will become a free agent. Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette reports a mutual interest exists for team and player to reunite via a practice squad deal provided it is possible. Watson, an undrafted rookie, has made only one appearance to date so he should have a strong chance of passing through waivers unclaimed.