The Jets signed Mike Williams to a one-year contract last month to improve the team’s receiving group.
But Williams, aged 29, is recovering from a torn ACL he sustained in Week 3 of the 2023 season. New York head coach Robert Saleh mentioned last week at the annual league meeting that Williams still has a long recovery ahead, but the team believes he will be ready to play when the regular season starts.
“He’s following the same recovery timeline as Breece [Hall],” Saleh said, as reported by Ralph Ventre of SI.com. “They both had similar injuries and are on the same schedule. He knows it’s a tough road ahead, but if he does things the right way, we’re confident he’ll be ready for Week 1.”
Hall tore his ACL during his rookie season but was back on the field at the start of the 2023 season.
Saleh also praised Williams as a versatile receiver who can create favorable matchups. “We’ve admired his skills for a long time,” Saleh said. “When the ball goes up to him, it’s more like a 70-30 chance rather than 50-50.
“He has some work to do, but we’re excited. If he puts in the effort needed, he’ll be a great asset not just to himself but also to the team.”
Williams caught 19 passes for 249 yards with one touchdown before his season-ending injury last year. With 88 games under his belt, the seventh pick in the 2017 draft has accumulated 309 career receptions for 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns.
