Jets’ Quinnen Williams to be placed on IR, ending his breakout season

New York Jets interior defender Quinnen Williams will be placed on IR after he clears concussion protocol, ending his season.

Quinnen Williams‘s breakout season has come to an end. The New York Jets plan to place the second-year interior defender on IR once he clears the league’s concussion protocol. Considering the late date of the move, his season is effectively over.

Williams, 23, left the Jets’ 23-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams this past Sunday due to what looked to be a head injury. Big Q was visibly shaken up on the sideline as he was escorted to the locker room in the third quarter.

He’s also dealing with a neck ailment, something that remains a bit of a mystery at the moment.

“I don’t know exactly,” Gase said when asked about Williams’ neck issue. “I just know that it’s probably going to keep him out the rest of the year.”

After a disappointing rookie campaign, the third-overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft enjoyed a true breakout season. In 13 games, Williams tallied seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, three passes defended, two forced fumbles and 55 total tackles (32 solo).

Although he was snubbed from a Pro Bowl perspective, Williams has been recognized as a force league-wide. Entering Week 16, he’s ranked 15th among all interior defenders with a PFF grade of 81.4. He’s ranked ninth when defending the run and 17th when pass rushing.

Quinnen Williams' season comes to an end as he currently stands at 5th among interior D-linemen with a combined 72 pressures, stops, and pass breakups.

More than double his rookie-year total of 35.

Only just turned 23

Outstanding Year 2 breakout. Bravo @QuinnenWilliams 👏 pic.twitter.com/lNxjbdsm6a

— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) December 23, 2020

Along with the likes of Foley Fatukasi, John Franklin-Myers and Bryce Huff, the Jets’ future is bright in the trenches defensively.

Quinnen Williams + John Franklin-Myers: One of only 3 IDL duos in the NFL with 35+ pressures each

Quinnen Williams + Foley Fatukasi: One of only 2 IDL duos in the NFL with 20+ run stuffs each (tackles for ≤2 yards/no first down)

One of the game's best DL cores #Jets pic.twitter.com/pTwtZ3YjNX

— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) December 23, 2020

Although Williams exits, run-stuffing monster Fatukasi returns. The Jets activated the UConn product from the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday.

The New York Jets wrap up their home slate this Sunday when Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns come to town.