The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Jets’ defense loses Lawson, Lewis to season-ending injuries
GREEN BAY, WIS. >> New York Jets defensive end Carl Lawson will miss the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon in practice Thursday, a devastating loss for a team seeking to turn the corner under new coach Robert Saleh.
Backup safety Zane Lewis also suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Both players were carted off the field during Thursday’s joint practice session with the Green Bay Packers.
The Jets announced later in the day that Lawson had ruptured his Achilles tendon while Lewis had torn his patella tendon and sprained his medial collateral ligament.
The loss of Lawson will force the Jets to retool their defensive line under Saleh, who spent the past four seasons as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator.
While the news on Lawson is a tough blow to the Jets’ defense, Saleh is no stranger to dealing with injuries and still being able to thrive. The
49ers ranked No. 5 in total yards allowed last season despite the losses of Nick Bosa, Solomon Thomas,
Dee Ford, Richard Sherman and Ezekiel Ansah because of injuries.
Bryce Huff, an undrafted free agent last year out of Memphis, is the favorite to get an opportunity to replace Lawson as a primary pass rusher for the Jets.
Lawson signed a threeyear, $45 million contract with the Jets in March after totaling 20 sacks over his first four NFL seasons in Cincinnati. He was having an outstanding training camp, undoubtedly among the Jets’ top performers this summer.
His injury occurred during the Jets’ red-zone drills period while facing the Packers’ offense. Lawson fell while rushing the passer and stayed down as trainers immediately raced to the defensive end.