Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II is 'ready to go' against the Broncos in London

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WATFORD, England (AP) — The New York Jets' struggling defense will get a boost with the return of edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II, who has missed the last three games with an ankle injury.

Jets coach Aaron Glenn pronounced Johnson “ready to go” against the Denver Broncos in Sunday’s game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as New York (0-5) seeks its first victory this season.

“He does bring the edge to him. He’s another guy that can get after the quarterback, so anytime we can bring that type of attitude, anytime we can bring that level of player on our team back from injury, it’s always good,” Glenn said Friday before practice at the team's hotel north of London.

The defense needs all the help it can get. The Jets have no takeaways through Week 5 and only three sacks in the last four games. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams described his side of the ball as “ probably the worst defense in the league.”

Johnson was injured in the second quarter of New York's 30-10 loss to Buffalo in Week 2.

A Pro Bowl selection after the 2023 season when he recorded 7.5 sacks, Johnson missed most of last season because of a torn right Achilles tendon.

The Jets own the NFL’s longest playoff drought — currently at 14 years — yet their rookie coach sees reason for optimism.

Even if others don't.

“I do know this — there are some foundational things that I see us building right now that no one else sees, and that’s OK, because everybody sees 0-5,” Glenn said. “That’s going to change, and the foundation is going to be stable. We’re going to start winning and everything will be just fine.”

With last week's 37-22 loss to Dallas, Glenn is the first coach in franchise history to begin his tenure with five losses.

“I understand exactly how it looks from the outside,” he said. "We just know for a fact that it’s going to happen at some point. When it happens, we know it’s going to pop. Every day, it’s all I think about. How do we get us a win so we can get this thing going.

“That’s all we need — we just need one,” Glenn added. “I have all the confidence in the world that we’ll get this thing going.”

The Jets are the “home” team Sunday. Looking ahead, they host the Carolina Panthers before a trip to Cincinnati. Their bye is in Week 9.

Quarterback Justin Fields snagged a one-handed catch during a practice drill.

The Jets are staying The Grove, a five-star hotel that boasts a lush practice field for visiting NFL teams.

Fun fact: The practice field is very close to a World War II air-raid shelter — several entrances to the shelters are visible in the woods next to the field.

RB/KR Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) is also “ready to go” on Sunday, Glenn said. ... CB Michael Carter II (concussion) is out. ... WR Allen Lazard (personal) did not make the trip and is officially out.

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