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Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer
NASHVILLE — New York Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson was carted off the field Sunday with a potentially severe injury to his right Achilles in the third quarter of this team’s 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.
After the win, Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters that “it’s looking like” Johnson tore his Achilles If Johnson’s injury is indeed long term, it will put pressure on the Jets to resolve the contract situation with holdout Haason Reddick.
Johnson, who made the Pro Bowl last season as an injury replacement, went down while pass rushing Will Levis on what appeared to be a noncontact injury. The cart came out immediately. Johnson’s teammates gathered around him, as the former first-round pick buried his head in his hands. He put a towel over his head, then gave a thumbs-up as he was taken off the field.
Linebacker C.J. Mosley left with the game in the second quarter with a toe injury on his right foot. He was carted to the locker room and didn’t return.
The Jets’ plan was to pair Johnson and Reddick as their bookend pass rushers, but Reddick — acquired in a March 29 trade with the Philadelphia Eagles — hasn’t reported because he’s unhappy with his contract. If Johnson is out for the season, they’d be down to Will McDonald and Micheal Clemons as their top defensive ends. Both were projected as backups.
The Jets also played without cornerback D.J. Reed (knee), who was a late scratch.