During the New York Jets’ 32-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, wide receiver Mike Williams had a minimal role in the team’s offense. In his first game back since tearing his ACL last September, Williams played 9 offensive snaps (18%) and saw zero targets.
However, Jets head coach Robert Saleh expects Williams to play more snaps this week.
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While addressing the media on Friday, Saleh said of Williams, “We were trying to get [Williams] to 15 [snaps] last week. Obviously, there weren’t enough opportunities. We were pacing that a little bit. If we would have gotten to a 65-play game like it normally would be, we would have been on pace. Long story short, we’re trying to get him on the field more.”
Robert Saleh expects Mike Williams to be more involved with the offense this week pic.twitter.com/whmFjxte7Y
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) September 13, 2024
Williams tore his ACL during Week 3 of the 2023 season, sidelining him for the rest of the season. The Jets signed Williams in March and have carefully managed his recovery, gradually incorporating him into training camp practices and game action.
Williams said he is fine with the Jets’ cautious approach to his return, stating, “Just kind of slowly building up. It’s what I expected.”
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed a pass to just three different players during the team’s Week 1 contest, the lowest number of players he has completed a pass to in a single game throughout his career. Only Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, and Allen Lazard caught passes from the Jets’ signal-caller.
When ready to be used in a larger capacity, Williams will add another reliable option to the Jets’ offense. Williams was averaging 83.0 receiving yards per game in 2023 before tearing his ACL. Entering the 2024 season, Williams had accumulated 91 receptions for 1,263 yards and 6 touchdowns over his last 17 appearances.