The New York Jets must be at full throttle when they face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. Robert Saleh provided two encouraging updates regarding key injured players.
Wide receiver Mike Williams participated in team drills for the first time on Monday. Saleh said that Williams had a nice day in practice today and will be available in Week 1, albeit with a reduced workload. In Saleh’s words, “He’s going to be plenty available to make his mark felt.” The Jets have been saying this all along, but it’s still a critical milestone for Williams.
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Equally importantly, Saleh indicated that slot cornerback Michael Carter II is fully back at practice. This was in doubt after a report surfaced claiming Carter’s status for Week 1 was unclear.
While having Williams on a pitch count against the 49ers isn’t ideal, the team has practiced without him all offseason. His presence can only be a bonus against the 49ers’ defense. San Francisco’s No. 1 cornerback, Charvarius Ward, claimed he’ll shadow Garrett Wilson. That means Williams will go up against the 5-foot-10 Deommodore Lenoir, who allowed 804 yards in coverage and was called for seven penalties in 2023.
Meanwhile, Carter may be the most underrated player on the Jets. On One Jets Drive, cornerbacks coach Tony Oden said Carter is “one of the guys who unlocks our defense.” D.J. Reed commented, “I think he covers the slot fade the best.” Chuck Clark called Carter “one of my favorite players in this defense from the time that I first came here.”
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich summed it up: “He is the ultimate Swiss Army knife in our defense. He’s a corner, a safety, and a linebacker based on the down. He deserves so much recognition as one of the best… cornerbacks in this league.”
As the betting odds for the Jets-49ers matchup tighten to 3.5 (from 5.5), the Jets’ improving health increases their chances of pulling off the upset.
