Jets’ patient approach just fine with veteran receiver Mike Williams

Mike Williams hardly broke a sweat in his Jets debut.

The receiver registered just nine snaps and zero targets in the Monday night loss to the 49ers as he continues to work his way back from major knee surgery last October.

The Jets have said they would bring Williams along slowly, and they clearly were committed to that patient approach.

“They told me I would be limited the first two, three games,” Williams told The Post on Thursday. “Just kind of slowly building up. It’s what I expected.”

Williams was signed in the offseason to serve as a complement to No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson.

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The 29-year-old wideout has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons to his credit, and caught 63 passes for 895 yards and four touchdowns in his last full year in 2022.

When asked about Williams’ lack of usage, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said it was the result of the offense not staying on the field enough.

“We got to convert on third down and not go three-and-out so we can involve everyone,” Hackett said.

Williams thinks his snap number could slightly increase Sunday against the Titans.

He was happy, at least, to get to run around a little bit in the opener.

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“I haven’t touched the field in, like, a year,” Williams said. “It was good to get back out there.”

Connor McGovern was all smiles Thursday.

The veteran offensive lineman was back where he feels he belongs.

The Jets signed McGovern to their practice squad Wednesday.

McGovern, 31, played seven games with the Jets last season before being placed on injured reserve Oct. 31 due to a dislocated left kneecap and damaged MCL.

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He had been with the team since 2020, starting 55 games in that span.

McGovern was content to call it quits, but when the Jets called, he couldn’t say no.

“I really missed the guys, missed being around the building, being around this organization,” McGovern said. “As soon as they gave me an opportunity to come back, I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to be back.’

“Once I got hurt, I called my wife and said, ‘That’s it. We’re hanging ’em up.’ My agent was like, ‘No, no there will be a spot for you somewhere. Get healthy, come back, be ready for an opportunity.’ I was thrilled when this opportunity came. And this is a special place, special organization. I feel like this is my team and I’m excited to be back.”

Cornerbacks D.J. Reed (knee) and Michael Carter II (ankle) remained limited in practice Thursday.

Defensive lineman Michael Clemons (triceps) and offensive tackle Tyron Smith (rest) were also limited. Javon Kinlaw (personal reasons) didn’t practice.

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