NY Jets: Carl Lawson 'felt a pop,' will have MRI on Achilles

The NY Jets were dealt a potentially devastating blow when star defensive end Carl Lawson was carted off with a leg injury during Thursday's practice.

And while there has been no confirmation yet, the initial signs do not look good.

Shortly after Jets practice ended, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Lawson had suffered a lower-leg injury and that he was set to have an MRI on his left Achilles to determine if it was torn or not.

To make matters worse, Mike Garafolo reported that Lawson felt a "pop," which would seemingly confirm the organization's greatest fear.

There is no official confirmation at this time, but you can do the math here. It would be a miracle if Lawson didn't tear his Achilles.

Carl Lawson's injury would be a brutal blow to the NY Jets defense

The Jets signed Lawson to a three-year, $45 million contract with $30 million guaranteed this offseason expecting him to be the team's best pass rusher since the days of John Abraham.

And given how he's looked this summer, the Jets were very optimistic that Lawson could live up to his contract and then some.

The 26-year-old has been the best player on the Jets' roster in training camp, and you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who disagreed with that notion.

Lawson has been torching Mekhi Becton and each and every offensive lineman put in front of him. And that was without star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams playing alongside him.

Lawson seemed primed for a monster 2021 season under the tutelage of Robert Saleh, but all of that is up in the air now.

If Lawson is done for the season, the Jets will scramble to replace arguably their best player. The defensive line is deep with the likes of Bryce Huff, John Franklin-Myers, Vinny Curry, and Ronald Blair — among others — likely in line for an increased role.

But there's no replacing Carl Lawson.

Unfortunately, that's something the Jets might be forced to attempt if Lawson's MRI confirms what seems to be inevitable.

A potentially brutal loss for the Jets organization and a devastating development for a player who appeared to be on the verge of stardom.