Jets fans won’t be able to watch one of the team’s most marquee offseason acquisitions just yet.
Gang Green announced Thursday that Mike Williams will begin training camp on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list alongside fullback Nick Bawden and defensive tackle Leonard Taylor.
Williams, who signed a one-year deal with a reported $8.3 million guaranteed this offseason, also missed the organization’s organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp after he suffered a torn ACL early last season.
In mid-June, head coach Robert Saleh said Williams, 29, likely will follow a similar recovery that running back Breece Hall took last year after his torn ACL, meaning limited snaps until the regular season begins.
In addition to the three players landing on the active/PUP list, rookie quarterback Jordan Travis was placed on the non-football injury list — dating back to his leg fracture on Nov. 18 with Florida State — as was undrafted free agent receiver Tyler Harrell.
Travis, the Jets’ fifth-round pick, slots in as the team’s third quarterback behind veterans Aaron Rodgers and new signee Tyrod Taylor.
Just three games into the 2023 season, Williams tore the ACL in his left knee.
To that point, the receiver had looked like his usually explosive deep self, posting 19 catches for 249 yards and one touchdown.
Since entering the NFL in 2017, Williams’ career 15.6 yards per catch ranks ninth, while his 13.2 average depth of target sits seventh.
Williams provides the Jets with much-needed secondary receiving options next to budding superstar Garrett Wilson, who had carried a one-man show for much of the last two years.
“I think he’ll do wonders for all of them,” Saleh said about Williams’ impact on the team’s skill-position players. With the combination of our skill guys and Aaron [Rodgers], you’d like to think you’d see more two-high [coverage], which will open up some of the run game. The faster he [Williams] gets to full speed, I think it’s just going to be more troublesome for defenses to pinpoint who they want to stop.”
While Williams may temporarily be sidelined, he can be activated from the PUP list at any time, though a move to reserve/PUP would mean he would miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
The former Charger joined likes of the Dolphins’ Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips and the Saints’ Ryan Ramczyk as high-profile players to land on some form of PUP in advance of camps breaking.
The Jets report to Florham Park, N.J. on July 23 and begin their preseason against the Commanders on Aug. 10.
