Jermaine Johnson approached the podium like a young man who just put in some speedy yet effortless rushes to the quarterback during the first of two Jets-Giants joint practices Tuesday.

Asked what move he needs to show that he's fully back from his Achilles tendon tear of last September, he replied: "I'm going to bull-rush somebody and put 'em on their back, that's what's going to happen. I'm back. So I'm just excited to get back out there."

Johnson, however, is not fully back and ripping off the edge for the Jets' defense. He was just cleared to come off Active/PUP on Sunday, and as head coach Aaron Glenn said: "We have a plan for him, and when it's time for him to be on the field, he'll be there."

Johnson expanded on that theme with a sportscar reference. "I feel ready to go, but I trust them," he said of Glenn and the team's training staff. "Like I like to say, they're backing the Ferrari off the truck a little cautiously right now. I understand it. But I'm ready to go."

JJ began his career as if he shot to an early lead out of a Formula 1 starting grid. Coming off 12 sacks in his one season at Florida State, he was the 26th overall pick of the 2022 draft. Lining up at LB/edge, he got his pro feet wet as a rookie, then picked up terrific traction in '23 with 17 starts, 7.5 sacks, 16 QB hits, an interception-return TD against the Browns, 7 PDs and a Pro Bowl invitation.

Then came the promise of last season, cut short at Tennessee. And going into this offseason, with a new HC in Glenn, a new GM in Darren Mougey, a new DC in Steve Wilks and a new scheme, a lesser player might have had some concerns about his immediate future.

But Johnson doesn't let stuff like that worry him. Plus he had previous experience at the '22 Senior Bowl not only as an American team member coached by the Detroit Lions and then-DC Glenn but going up against the National team being coached by the Jets staff.

"At the Senior Bowl, AG liked me a lot there," Johnson said. "And he wasted no time when he got here letting me know how excited he was coaching me and how much he expects from me. And I was just as excited letting him know that those standards will be met or exceeded."

Johnson's rehab appears to have gone smoothly, as he indicated in several short responses to Tuesday's questions.

When will he be ready to practice? "I'm ready now. Now I get to build my football instincts, movements, all that. Now Iet all this time to build who I am as a football player."

How much time will he need to get up to full speed? "I don't make excuses. ... I've got a strong Achilles and I'll be ready to go when my number's called."

Until that time comes, Johnson has been savoring his return to the team at 1 Jets Drive.

"Honestly, it's been great just being around the guys," he said. "I'm in every meeting, and I'm still able to jump into that leadership role while not yet being able to be on the field with them, so I think that's imperative. ... Just preaching the standard, technique stuff. I had guys show me this is how it's supposed to look, and this is my chance to pay it forward and show our young guys. So I'm excited to get off PUP and get out there because I'm a big believer in leading by example and now I finally get to do that."

But one more time, we must remind that Johnson is not quite ready to floor it on the field, even though he said, asked when he might be at practice for team drills, "Tomorrow."

"I'm just working hand in hand with the staff, knowing they've got my best interests in mind," he said, gently downshifting his emotions for a split-second.

"And when they take the leash off me, it'll be fun."