Back Delays Comeback for Jets' Veteran Defensive End

Gang Green head coach Robert Saleh hoping 2022 starter returns soon

The New York Jets have been without a battle-tested veteran on their defensive front the past couple of weeks.

Carl Lawson started all 17 games as a primary piece to Gang Green's edge rusher rotation in 2022, but the 28-year-old defensive end has not practiced since August 5.

"It’s his back, it’s just for precaution," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh on August 9. "We are trying to take care of his lower back and hopefully, we get him back soon."

With the Jets hosting practices on August 22, 23 and 24 ahead of the August 26 game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, there's a chance fans could see Lawson back at work this week. The August 23 session is open to ticketed spectators. 

"Carl is dealing with a back. I am not going to get into detail into the stuff he has had done, but this is part of the rest phase to get him going back up," said Saleh during an August 16 update on the edge player. "I am hopeful that we will get him back into practice next week."

Making a triumphant return from a torn Achilles that costed him the 2021 season, Lawson accounted for 7.0 sacks and 24 QB hits for the NFL's fourth-ranked defense last year. He played 58 percent of the Jets' defensive snaps. 

The expectation was for Lawson to be even more productive in 2023 being another year removed from the devastating injury. 

"I do know with my experience with [Richard] Sherman when he tore his Achilles and came back, it’s a two-year injury," said Saleh in July at the start of training camp. "The first year, you’re back, but you’re not really back and if there’s anybody in football that will come back and put in the work and do what needs to be done to prepare himself to play, it’s going to be a guy like Carl. I know Carl’s going to be ready, I know he’s healthy, he looks explosive, he looks powerful."

DE Carl Lawson (58) at Jets' Training Camp on July 22 / © Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Lawson sounded excited about the season ahead when he spoke from the podium early in training camp. 

"I feel better and I'm only gonna keep getting better," said Lawson on July 25. 

Back towards the end of OTAs, the confident pass rusher predicted he would hit double digits in sacks this season.

The good news for the Jets is that their defensive line depth equips them to sustain an injury to Lawson or another edge rusher. 

Bryce Huff, who appeared primarily in a situational pass rush role last year, posted a pressure rate in excess of 20 percent in 2022. He made a sack and forced a fumble while taking first-team reps in this past Saturday's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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