Quincy Williams returns to Jets practice amid linebacker shuffle

Lost in the shuffle that comes with a quarterback change midway through the season, the New York Jets received great news on Wednesday.

The team designated All-Pro linebacker Quincy Williams to return to practice. He was on the field with the team during Wednesday’s workouts.

Williams was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 23 following a shoulder injury suffered during the Jets’ 29-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3.

Before the injury, the 29-year-old had recorded 15 tackles, three quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks to begin the 2025 campaign. He has become one of the most complete linebackers in the game since coming to the Jets in 2021.

His future with the team, though, remains clouded as he returns to the field.

Jets linebacker shuffle

As good as Williams has been with the Jets, he is in the final year of his contract with the team. New York has played fifth-round rookie Kiko Mauigoa in Williams’ place, and the Miami product has been serviceable in replacement duty.

How the Jets integrate Williams back into the fray while also giving Mauigoa reps will be interesting to watch.

There is also the trade factor.

With the Jets at 0-7, many of the organization’s top players could find themselves on the trade block. Williams finally being healthy could lead New York to try to move the veteran before the Nov. 4 deadline.

Until that happens, though, the Jets will celebrate the veteran’s return to the field. After two straight games of giving up just 13 points, the defensive unit has begun to show drastic improvement.