Free Agent WR Addition tops Jets' Physically Unable to Perform list

The New York Jets will be without at least five players when they begin training camp practice next week in Florham Park.

Per Thursday's NFL transactions wire, the Jets placed free-agent addition Mike Williams, veteran fullback Nick Bawden and undrafted rookie defensive lineman Leonard Taylor on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Those three men will count against New York's 90-man preseason roster limit and are eligible to be taken off PUP at a moment's notice.

In addition to the trio of PUP designations, the Jets assigned non-football injury status to wide receiver Tyler Harrell and fifth-round rookie quarterback Jordan Travis. The latter is still recovering from a leg injury that prematurely ended his 2023 college campaign.

The 29-year-old Williams, who projects as Gang Green's WR2 when healthy, is the most notable name listed amongst the pre-camp roster designations. He has averaged 15.6 yards per reception over 88 career games.

It is not, however, unexpected to see the former Los Angeles Chargers ' first-round draft pick land on PUP. Working his way back from the ACL tear suffered in Week 3 last year, Williams will have to ramp up over the summer .

Jets' fourth-year head coach Robert Saleh drew a similarity between Williams's anticipated recovery timeline and the path that running back Breece Hall followed last preseason. Hall remained on PUP until late August and did not appear in a preseason game. Come Week 1, however, the Jets' RB1 was in the lineup.

The 28-year-old Bawden was a special teams regular for the 2023 Jets. Drafted by the Detroit Lions as a seventh-rounder in 2018, Bawden has bounced between New York's Practice Squad and active roster for the past three years.

The PUP classification is the most unfortunate for Taylor, who is trying to prove himself worthy of a roster spot after being overlooked in the draft. The Miami product has been tabbed as a darkhorse candidate in the defensive line competition.

Jets' veterans are due to report to training camp on July 23 in Florham Park.