Jets defense expected to get major boost with return of former first-round pick

Jets defense expected to get major boost with return of former first-round pick originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Jets have had a brutal 0-5 start to the season, with their defense ranking as one of the league's worst through five games.

New York has given up 31.3 points per game to opposing offenses, ranked second-to-last in the league in front of only the Baltimore Ravens. What was supposed to be a strength for this team has turned into one of its biggest weaknesses.

Fortunately for the Jets, help is on the way, and a former first-round pick is expected to make his return from injury this weekend against the Denver Broncos.

Defensive end Jermaine Johnson expected to make his return from injury

Connor Hughes of SNY is reporting that defensive end Jermaine Johnson will make his return to the Jets' defensive front in London, England, on Sunday.

Johnson has been out since Week 2, when he exited New York's game against the Buffalo Bills early with an ankle injury. The former Florida State Seminole started training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list thanks to his recovery from an Achilles tear suffered in 2024.

The 26th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has arguably been the Jets' best defensive end since joining New York, with 95 total tackles and 10 sacks in 35 games played.

He's a jack of all trades, able to stop the run while also having a nose for rushing the passer. His absence has been felt in the weeks since his injury, with the Jets' reserve defensive linemen unable to fill Johnson's shoes.

New York will be glad to have him back, as they prepare to take on a Broncos team that currently ranks 12th highest offensively in terms of EPA/play.

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