In a recent announcement on social media, New York Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson confirmed that he has suffered a torn right Achilles during Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans. This devastating injury means that Johnson will be sidelined for the rest of the season.

Despite the setback, Johnson remains positive, stating in his post, "This is not a dark time for me, although there will be dark days ahead." The injury to Johnson further amplifies the pressure on the Jets to resolve their contract dispute with Haason Reddick, a Pro Bowl edge rusher who has been holding out since his arrival from the Philadelphia Eagles in the spring.

Reddick's holdout has caused him to forfeit two game checks, totaling $1.584 million, and incur over $5 million in mandated fines. With both Reddick and Johnson out, the Jets are now faced with a shortage of edge rushers in their 4-3 front. Will McDonald IV and Micheal Clemons, initially projected as rotational players, now find themselves thrust into more prominent roles. The next in line on the depth chart is Takkarist McKinley, a journeyman hoping to revive his career after being a first-round pick for the Atlanta Falcons.

As the Jets prepare to host the New England Patriots on Thursday night, the absence of Reddick and Johnson poses a significant challenge. The team heavily relies on their front four to generate pressure on the opposing quarterbacks, rather than resorting to frequent blitzes. Reddick, with an impressive record of 50.5 sacks over the past four seasons, holds the distinction of being their most accomplished edge rusher.

Despite the glaring need for reinforcements, Jets coach Robert Saleh remained steadfast in his support of the current roster during a press conference on Monday. "I'll say it again: We got the guys that we have in our room, guys that we love, the guys that we've been working with and those are the guys we're going to continue to work with until everyone figures it out," said Saleh, reiterating his faith in the team's existing players.

Reddick, who currently receives a nonguaranteed base pay of $14.25 million, is seeking a long-term contract extension that reflects the salary of the highest-paid edge players in the league. Reports suggest that he is looking for a deal worth around $25 million annually. The Jets acquired Reddick in the offseason to fill the gap left by the departure of top sack leader Bryce Huff during free agency.

Criticism has been directed towards general manager Joe Douglas for not renegotiating Reddick's contract before the trade, especially considering his desire for a new deal was widely known. The Jets traded a conditional third-round pick in 2026 to the Eagles for Reddick's services. Douglas further demonstrated his commitment to Reddick by trading veteran defensive end John Franklin-Myers in late April.

The Jets did receive a boost from Will McDonald's standout performance on Sunday, where he recorded three sacks, equaling his rookie year's production. He made a crucial defensive play, sacking Will Levis on a third down from the Jets' 8-yard line with just 29 seconds remaining in the game.

Despite McDonald's impressive display, Johnson's absence will undoubtedly be felt, as he is considered one of the team's top run defenders. The Jets typically rotate eight linemen during a game to keep their primary pass rushers fresh for critical situations.

In addition to Johnson, the Jets could potentially be without three other defensive starters in their upcoming game against the Patriots. Linebacker C.J. Mosley is nursing a toe injury, cornerback D.J. Reed is recovering from a knee issue, and slot corner Michael Carter II has an ankle concern.

As the Jets face a multitude of challenges on the defensive front, the team's resilience and ability to adapt will be put to the test in the coming weeks.

(Note: The information in this article is based on the provided text and does not include any additional content or speculation.