Carl Lawson opens up about Achilles injury, excitement for return
The past year has been a difficult one for Carl Lawson. After signing a three-year contract with the New York Jets last offseason, the defensive end suffered a ruptured Achilles in camp and missed all of 2021.
Lawson made his return to the field this preseason, where he has logged some valuable reps as he works his way back up to full speed. During the Jets final preseason game Sunday against the Giants, Lawson spoke with NFL Network about his mindset on playing his first game in a year.
“It felt great just being able to get out here and play with my brothers,” he said. “I’m so happy to be able to do that. Being in meeting with guys on the field and just going out there and playing with them is the biggest thing. I’m just happy to be out there.
“It makes you stronger. You’ve just got to keep on pushing.”
This isn’t the first time Carl Lawson has dealt with a serious injury. During his second year in the NFL in 2018 with the Bengals, he suffered an ACL tear and played in only seven games. He also missed his sophomore year at Auburn in 2014 with a torn ACL.
If he can remain healthy this season, Lawson figures to be a key piece for the Jets defense. A fourth-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017, he flashed his potential as a rookie to finish with 16 tackles and 8.5 sacks. During his last full season in 2020, he recorded 36 tackles and 5.5 sacks while making 11 starts.
That’s the kind of production that Lawson hopes to bring with him to New York, where he will play under second-year defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. The Jets defense ranked last in the league this past season according to Pro Football Focus, but the return of Carl Lawson from injury and other additions provide hope of a better finish this year.
“I think the sky’s the limit,” Lawson said of the Jets defense. “We’ve just got to take it each day at a time and get better to do the little things right. Just keep working on our craft each and every play. It’s really fun. Fast, physical, violent. That’s all the things I’m about and that’s all the things this defense is about. I’m really excited to be in it.”
The Jets are scheduled to kick off the 2022 regular season on Sept. 11 against the Baltimore Ravens.