Depth may soften the loss of Lawson
Losing star defensive lineman is crushing but might not be fatal blow
Some call it a dark cloud. Others say it’s just plain bad luck.
Well, whatever it is, it reared its ugly head again Thursday when Jets defensive lineman Carl Lawson was lost for the season when he ruptured an Achilles tendon during a joint practice with the Packers.
Lawson was expected to finally provide the Jets with the gamewrecking, sack-happy pass rusher they have been searching for for two decades.
He had 20 sacks in four seasons in Cincinnati, flashing some legitimate pass-rushing ability. Seeing the potential, the Jets gave Lawson a three-year, $45 million contract in the offseason. And he was an immediate fit in New York’s defense, routinely shining as one of the best players on the field during training camp.
But just like that, he’s done for the year after being carted off the field in Green Bay. As he rode away, the Jets were hoping their season didn’t go with him.
“You never want to see anyone go down,” receiver Corey Davis said, “especially a guy of that caliber.”
Crushing, yes. Catastrophic? Not yet.
The success of the season will still largely come down to the play and development of No. 2 overall pick Wilson — as was the case even before Lawson’s injury.
Plus, the Jets have a deep and talented defensive line, clearly the strength of this year’s young squad. Lawson was fired up about the prospects of teaming up front with the likes of Quinnen Williams, Sheldon Rankins, John Franklin-myers, Folorunso Fatukasi and Nathan Shepherd and causing problems for opposing quarterbacks and offenses. Well, now what?
The promising Bryce Huff, an undrafted free agent out of Memphis last year, is the early favorite to step into Lawson’s role. He had two
sacks as a rookie and has been one of the standouts in camp this summer. Huff had two sacks in the preseason opener against the Giants last Saturday, but he’s mostly unproven.
Ronald Blair, who spent his first five seasons in San Francisco, could get a shot — although he missed last year with a knee injury. Vinny Curry, a proven pass rusher with 321⁄2 career sacks, is on the non-football injury list and might not be ready to play until Week 2 of the regular season.
Jabari Zuniga, a third-rounder last year who saw limited action in eight games as a rookie, is dealing with a knee injury. Undrafted rookie Hamilcar Rashed had a nice NFL debut with 11⁄2 sacks against the Giants, but he also is inexperienced.