Report: Jets Part Ways with Reserve Running Back Ty Johnson

Originally posted on FanNation Jets Country
By Ralph Ventre | Last updated 4/26/23

Ty Johnson's one-year contract lasted about one month.

The backup running back received his release, along with a non-football injury designation, from the New York Jets, according to ESPN's NFL reporter Field Yates.

The Jets re-signed Johnson, who did not miss a game in 2022, to a new deal early during the NFL free-agency signing period last month.

The 5-foot-10 Johnson has appeared in 44 games for the Jets since they claimed the Maryland product off waivers from the Lions in October 2020.

Johnson, a core special teamer, initially entered the NFL in 2019 as a Detroit Lions’ sixth-round draft pick.

The reserve running back, who earned one start, averaged 5.3 yards per carry in limited opportunities last season.

Johnson posed a legitimate threat as a pass-catcher in 2021. Over a 16-game sample that season, he made 34 receptions for 372 yards and two touchdowns. Twenty of his grabs resulted in first downs for the Jets.

During his 62-game NFL career, the native Marylander has rushed 208 times for 925 yards. The fifth-year pro has 668 receiving yards on 86 catches. He has seven total touchdowns (4 rush, 3 rec).

Although he was viewed as an insurance policy in the running backs' room, Johnson's release leaves a void on the Jets' special teams units. He played nearly 200 snaps on specials last fall.

The Jets could find a replacement for Johnson in the 2023 NFL Draft pool. The Jets Country Draft Series features an installment that highlights late-round/UDFA running back options for Gang Green.