Quinnen Williams Missing Jets-Panthers Joint Practice; Injury Update

With aging veterans such as Aaron Rodgers and Tyron Smith, the New York Jets have become accustomed to their key players needing time off during training camp and the preseason.

But a new, equally important name is sitting out Thursday's joint practice with the Carolina Panthers: Quinnen Williams.

Jets' coach Robert Saleh says the absence isn't reason for concern, but the star defensive tackle is nursing a sore shoulder.

Said Saleh, "If this was a game, he’d be up.”

Williams, a key in what the Jets expect to again be a Top 5 defense in their Super-Bowl-or-Bust season, also sat out the team's preseason opener last weekend.

He has earned Pro Bowl honors the past two seasons, and in 2022, also made All-Pro. He's also one of the league's highest-paid defensive linemen and with Aaron Donald now retired he's considered perhaps the best at his position in the game.

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Williams has 33 sacks, 80 quarterback hits and 44 tackles for loss in his first five seasons.

The Jets travel to Charlotte Saturday night to play the Panthers in their second preseason game.