One coach received’t be turning to his backup in Baltimore.
Lamar Jackson seems set to begin Sunday in opposition to the Jets, returning to the observe discipline Thursday after lacking the day before today’s session with an ankle damage.
It is going to be the primary time the Jets will face Jackson because the 2022 season opener, when the two-time MVP threw for 3 touchdowns — and Jermaine Johnson bought a narrative to inform his grandchildren.
“He was really my first profession sack,” mentioned Johnson, who’s awaiting the delivery of his first youngster. “I’m trying to get one or two extra on Sunday in opposition to him.”
Each spotlight of Jackson makes it appear inconceivable to catch one of many quickest quarterbacks in league historical past, however the Ravens celebrity has been slowed by accidents this season — together with a hamstring pressure that price him three video games — and brought 23 sacks by way of seven video games, matching as many as he took in 17 video games final season.
“Goddamn,” Jackson informed reporters Thursday after being knowledgeable of the stat. “Gonna have to speak to the offensive line about that.”
Johnson can be among the many first Jets he mentions.
After being sidelined all however two video games final season with a torn Achilles — and lacking three video games this season with an ankle damage — the Jets’ 2022 first-round choose once more resembles the sting rusher who displayed a lot potential in 2023, when he recorded 7.5 sacks and was named an damage substitute for the Professional Bowl. Prior to now two video games, Johnson has recorded two sacks and 11 pressures.
“He’s getting again to his kind,” defensive coordinator Steve Wilks mentioned.
In the meantime, Jackson is coming off a dreadful two-interception, no-touchdown efficiency in Cleveland, the place he was sacked 5 occasions, together with 4 by Myles Garrett. The Ravens quarterback has been sacked 30 % of the time he’s been pressured this season, rating thirty first within the NFL.
“You simply gotta keep lively, excessive motor, maintain going,” Johnson mentioned. “Particularly within the Cleveland sport, I noticed Myles getting after him and he was simply very lively. It didn’t occur immediately on all of these … [but] he ended up getting house.
“Loads of guys, they love to do one thing referred to as ‘cage’ and simply keep in entrance of him as a defensive position, however I feel you simply gotta throw your stuff and you continue to gotta go get him. … I’ve been doing further working, staying off sugary drinks and stuff like that, preparing for him.”
Actually?
“I’m chasing after quite a lot of guys because the season’s gone on, so I simply wish to shed off any sort of weight that’s slowing me down so I can flip these hurries or hits or pressures into sacks.”
His affect is available in many types.
Earlier than the commerce deadline, Johnson demonstrated his dedication to the franchise, voicing his need to stick with the group earlier than the fireplace sale that resulted within the protection shedding its largest stars (Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams).
His voice within the locker room has by no means carried extra weight.
“I feel you see a bit of bit extra, he’s stepped up within the absence of Quinnen, and also you’re beginning to see him a bit of extra assertive, not solely with the D-linemen however with the protection as an entire,” Wilks mentioned. “So I admire that from him.”
