Even though his goal only managed to help Werder get a point in the game against Hertha, Sargent showed his positive development as a player. After he arrived from the US in winter of 2017, the forward got his call-up to the first team by playing with the U23s, and was able to celebrate both his senior debut and first senior goal for the club last year.
During pre-season preparations before the current season, Kohfelt met with Sargent to talk about continuing to use him as a substitute, because at his young age, it is important that the American should get as much experience of playing at the top level as possible. However, the Werder injury crisis worsens and two regular starters in Niklas Füllkrug and Yuya Osako are sidelined, leading Josh Sargent to make an appearance in the starting eleven sooner than expected. Sargent started six games and rewarded the faith the manager put in him by scoring twice and assisting two more goals. Also, after being out of the squad for three months, Sargent receives a national team call-up and makes an impressive return, with a goal for his country in October and a brace in November. In the end however, the injury crisis that plagued the club in the Hinrunde caught up with him, as he suffered torn muscle fibre at the start of December.