5 NY Jets players who shined in the second preseason game

2. Michael Carter, RB, NY Jets

Israel Abanikanda wasn't the only Jets running back to make the most of his snaps on Saturday. Michael Carter made his 2023 preseason debut and looked fantastic in the process.

Carter showed flashes of the player the Jets saw as a rookie, as the third-year running back finished with 19 yards and a 4.8 average to go along with a team-leading 34 yards on two catches.

Carter totaled a whopping 53 yards on just six touches, and, most importantly, he showcased the speed and elusiveness that he did as a rookie. The former North Carolina star broke four tackles in his limited snaps.

Former undrafted rookie Zonovan Knight has outplayed Carter for much of the summer, but the latter certainly improved his stock in Saturday's game. It was a vintage performance for the Jets' young running back.

1. Jermaine Johnson, DE, NY Jets

Jermaine Johnson was the best player on the field on Saturday. The Jets' defensive line abused the Panthers' starting and backup offensive line, and Johnson was a primary reason for that, at least early in the game.

The Florida State product finished with three tackles, a sack, and 2 QB hits on just 12 defensive snaps. Johnson barely played double-digit snaps, but he made his presence felt seemingly every time he was on the field.

The Jets have been running Johnson with the first-team defense for most of the summer, even when Carl Lawson was healthy. With Lawson missing time in camp due to a lingering back injury, Johnson is making a strong push to continue working with the starters come the regular season.

Johnson looks quicker, faster, and stronger than he did as a rookie. Expect him to take on a significantly larger role in his second NFL season.