As NFL teams find themselves in a difficult position regarding injuries in week 2 of the NFL showdown. The New York Jets have seemingly found themselves joining that squad while taking on the Tennessee Titans in their second game of the regular season. While dealing with injuries in the roster throughout the offseason, the Jets add an important defensive player to that unwanted list.

It’s their edge rusher, Jermaine Johnson, who was slated to play a huge part in the Jets’ defense, gets injured. Seeing his face, the injury didn’t seem like a knock that players usually get over after treatment. The Jets’ DE had to be carted off the field after his foot seemingly got stuck in the turf.

Although early signs showed that Johnson might have gotten a leg injury as he grabbed onto his right leg. Him putting hands on his head and expressions on his face might have indicated something bigger than initially predicted. Well, it came out to be true because, within a few minutes of him going back to the locker room, broadcasters announced that he would be out with an Achilles injury.

This will be a massive setback for the Jets’ ambition in a do-or-die season as one of their key defensive players faces a lengthy time off the field. Reactions of defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton might have put everything into perspective as he was visibly emotional while running toward Johnson after the injury.

However, the Jets edge rusher did receive the support of fans in Nissan Stadium with loud cheers as he made his way to the locker room. With no update on his return date yet, the Jets have seemingly found themselves at a tough spot on the defensive side of the roster.

New York Jets’ shaky defensive line in a make-or-break season

As NFL fans, we might be well aware of the fact that defense wins titles. However, the Jets might not have feasible grounds to follow that statement with considerable weakness on their backline. Although they have seen their defense rank among the top 5 in the league last season, it might not be the case this year.

Even though they possess talented players at each position, their defensive unit remains the Jets’ “biggest weakness.” With a lack of regular names in their safety department, the Jets could struggle to keep up against the running game of their opponents. It was pretty evident from the loss against the 49ers, where backup RB Jordan Mason blew apart the Jets’ defense.

After racking up 147 yards on 28 carries and one TD to his name, the Jets lost their opening game 32-19. Starting at the heart of their defense is the sixth-round draft pick, Chuck Clark. Well, it might prove to be risky as Clark is coming back from a season-ending ACL suffered last season. Although it remains to be seen how well Clark can perform alongside Rodgers, who is returning from his own ACL tear that limited him to just 4 snaps last season.

Elsewhere, there is safety Ashtyn Davis and CB Isaiah Oliver, who signed for them as a free agent this offseason in their defensive setup. Amid all the shortcomings in their defense, the return of LB Haason Reddick could be great news for the Jets. However, it doesn’t seem to have happened as the two-time Pro Bowl continues to stay absent amid a contractual holdout from the beginning of training camps.

Will the Jets manage to perform within their expectations as their defense continues to miss key players in regular season encounters? Only time will tell as yet another player finds themselves at the treatment table in Jets camp.