The Jets placed Johnson on injured reserve Tuesday because of injuries to both ankles. They’re likely to waive Johnson in March before his $11 million salary becomes guaranteed.
Former general manager Mike Maccagnan signed Johnson to a five-year, $72 million free-agent contract in 2018. But Johnson was a disappointment and never lived up to his contract that likely will go down as one of the worst signings in team history.
The veteran cornerback had five interceptions and one fumble recovery in 17 games, and earned $34 million in guaranteed money. Johnson started only five of the seven games he played in this year. He was benched twice — once last year and once this year.
One of the Jets’ big free-agent signings this year, Le’Veon Bell, remains slowed by a knee injury that he suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins.
Bell underwent an MRI on Monday. The results haven’t been revealed, but coach Adam Gase said during his weekly spot Tuesday on the Michael Kay Show on ESPN Radio that Bell would not practice Wednesday.
Bell status for Sunday’s game versus the Giants still unclear.
“Right now, I know he’s not practicing on Wednesday,” Gase said. “We’ll see how the rest of the week goes. I know he’s feeling better. We’ll see where it goes from there.”
The Jets signed running back Josh Adams to the active roster on Tuesday, fueling speculation that Bell would miss Sunday’s game. But according to multiple reports the Jets signed Adams to block another team from grabbing him.
Adams had been on the Jets’ practice squad. The former Eagle was Philadelphia’s leading rusher last season. Jets general manager Joe Douglas was in the Eagles’ front office last season and is said to be high on Adams.
The Jets also placed wide receiver Josh Bellamy on injured reserve and signed linebacker Paul Worrilow for much-needed depth at that position.
