Saleh Reveals Jets Receiver Williams Will Play vs. 49ers

The New York Jets knew what they were getting into when they offered oft-injured veterans the opportunity to play significant roles on the offense.

There was never a doubt that offensive tackle Tyron Smith – the team’s biggest signing of the offseason – would be on the blindside for Week 1. But for receiver Mike Williams, who tore his ACL early last season, his timeline was far less clear.

After participating in team drills on Thursday (and performing well), head coach Robert Saleh was willing to give the New York faithful some good news.

Williams will be on the field when the Jets open the season against the San Francisco 49ers.

“He’s gonna be available Week 1, but to expect him to be 100 percent (would be unfair),” Saleh said . “But he’s definitely gonna be (active). We’re gonna be very smart with how we use him, but he’s gonna be plenty available to make his mark felt.”

Saleh made sure to stipulate that Williams isn’t at his best just yet. There will likely be a lot of Allen Lazard in the early going as Williams works his way back and Lazard pushes his 2023 campaign further into the past.

But Williams has never needed volume to make an impact.

Williams’ strengths play best in the red zone and as a field stretcher, where his size leads to late separation and he can play well above the rim. Thus, it makes sense to expect Williams to take a disproportionate amount of snaps in the red zone and between the 40s, where New York is more likely to try and stretch the field.

“It felt good, it was amazing,” Williams said about Thursday’s practice. “Caught some passes today, got some yards in, so it felt good.”

The Jets won’t know when Williams will truly be at full strength, but as the complement to star Garrett Wilson and a better big-play threat than anyone else on New York’s depth chart last year, he figures to get ample looks from quarterback Aaron Rodgers every step of the way.

Related: 49ers Contract Problems? What's Jets Coach Robert Saleh Expect in Week 1?

His practice, complete with a handful of catches for over 100 yards according to Saleh, is only adding to Gang Green’s confidence.

“I feel good,” Williams said. “It is what I expected. I was putting the work in this whole time to make myself available to perform this season. It’s all paying off at the right time.”