The New York Jets may get their star wide receiver back in time for the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on September 9.
Former Chargers WR Mike Williams , who signed with the Jets this past offseason, is on the path to what looks like a return to live-game action sooner than later. Williams suffered a brutal knee injury during the first month of the 2023 season and has been working daily to get back on the field.
Fortunately for the Jets, Williams seems ahead of schedule as he expects to take team reps in practice starting next week. He was taken off the PUP list two weeks ago and has participated solely in individual drills as was the case again on Monday in Florham Park.
"He's progressing well. Right now, for him, it's just continuing to gain confidence. It's going to be more of a mental block than anything else, but I think he's doing well," said head coach Robert Saleh following Monday's practice.
Although Saleh said that he has yet to determine if any starters will play in Preseason Game No. 3, Williams hasn't appeared in either of the first two exhibition contests and that should remain true for the finale versus the crosstown rival New York Giants on August 24.
Upon signing in March, Williams, a former first-round draft pick, instantly became a vital piece of a WR room that is lackluster outside of star Garrett Wilson . He's been a former 1,000-yard WR during very productive tenure with the Chargers.
Wilson acknowledged his impressive ball skills in the recent One Jets Drive video saying "he'll make us a lot better... I know he's [Aaron Rodgers] gonna love having Mike out there cause 50/50 balls start going like 70/30 his way."
Even though Williams is on a one-year deal, his importance to the team in 2024 cannot be understated. The Jets are going to be a run-first offense led by superstar Breece Hall. For the pass game to be effective, Rodgers needs a proven WR2 with Wilson getting most of the attention. Allen Lazard was supposed to play that role after he signed a four-year deal with the team last year, but the former Packer has not had a good showing for the Jets to this point.
If Williams is back next week and participating in team drills, it would be a great sign for him to play Week 1.
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• Jets designate ex-Packers' receiver Reserve/Injured, sign UFL defensive tackle
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