The New York Jets released running back Ty Johnson in April despite signing him to a year in free agency, with the veteran revealing it came after the team told him to have surgery for an off-season injury.
Johnson said he tore his pectoral muscle while training in the offseason, and after consulting with the team doctor, he was told to «fix it.»
«I saw the team doctor. He said, ‘You’ve got to fix it,'» Johnson said in an Instagram video. «I flew out the next day. I came back happy I did it, even though I didn’t want to. The following Wednesday, you’re out of there.»
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Ty Johnson of the New York Jets carries the ball against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 8, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
«And I was like, ‘Damn.’ But at the end of the day, man, I know I’m going to be okay.»
The Jets released Johnson on April 26, one day before the 2023 NFL Draft.
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Gang Green ended up drafting Pittsburgh running back Israel Abanikanda in the fifth round, as well as signing undrafted free agent Travis Dye.
Those rookies joined a running room that already had Breece Hall, Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight.
Ty Johnson of the New York Jets carries the ball during the second half of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Hall was the favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year before tearing his ACL. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson ended up winning the award at the end of the season.
Johnson did well in his part of the Jets’ backfield duties in 2022, rushing for 160 yards with one touchdown in 30 attempts while catching 12 of his 24 targets for 88 yards.
He also had 238 yards on 61 rushes in 2021 with two touchdowns and scored twice through the air with 372 receiving yards.
Ty Johnson of the New York Jets wears a 9/11 terrorist attack remembrance jersey before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
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Johnson, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Maryland, is still searching for his next NFL team since his release.