In 2024, the New York Jets’ defense was altered by the Week 2 loss of edge rusher Jermaine Johnson. A torn Achilles ended the former first-round pick’s season and was a major turning point for the unit overall.

Johnson worked hard to get back onto the field in 2025. He returned to practice toward the end of training camp and was an instant-impact player upon his arrival back. It seemed like the Jets were finally getting their best edge rusher back at the right time.

But after a strong showing in Week 1’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Johnson suffered an ankle injury the following week against the Bills. He has missed the last three games while recovering from that new ailment.

As Johnson prepares to return this week against the Denver Broncos, the Jets must learn from a prior mistake made with the player — one that requires ignoring the team’s immediate demands and instead focusing on the future.

Jets must carefully handle Jermaine Johnson

There was an expectation going into Week 1 that the Jets would limit Johnson’s snap count. For a player coming off Achilles surgery, it made sense to ease the Florida State product back slowly.

That isn’t what happened.

Johnson played a whopping 89 percent of the defensive snaps, including six more on special teams. For a player coming off Achilles surgery, the Jets immediately threw him back onto the field expecting a strong impact.

When on the field, Johnson certainly helped New York’s defense. The Jets held Pittsburgh to just 2.7 yards per carry in the season opener. Aaron Rodgers was also sacked four times. While Johnson did not record any of those sacks, his mere presence allowed other players like Will McDonald and Quinnen Williams to avoid as much attention as they’ve faced since Johnson’s injury.

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The following week against Buffalo, Johnson finished with 42 percent of the snaps despite leaving with his ankle injury in the second quarter. He was well on his way to matching his Week 1 snap count before he was lost.

With his impact in both phases, New York needs Johnson on the field as much as possible.

Jets must learn from mistakes

It was foolish for the Jets to play Johnson close to 90 percent of the snaps to open the 2025 season.

He had not played in any preseason contest, and his ramp-up period during the offseason was focused primarily on the practice field.

While there is no guarantee Johnson’s Achilles surgery contributed to the ankle injury in Week 2, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that when a player has surgery, the first thing they need to do is develop trust in the injured body part. If they don’t, the athlete can overcompensate by relying on other parts of the body too much.

Johnson needed to use the 2025 season to rebuild trust in his Achilles. Playing 90 percent of the snaps is not a way to magically develop that trust.

When the Jets face Denver on Sunday, they must do a better job managing Johnson’s snap count.

Even if that puts New York in a situation where Johnson is on the sideline while struggling players like Braiden McGregor or the controversial Micheal Clemons see the field, it’s better for the team to preserve its young cornerstone than chase results in 2025.

At 0-5, there’s no reason for New York to suddenly adopt a win-now philosophy over preserving its young talent.