Quincy

Williams

Williams had become a priority lock-up for the team ahead of free agency and the Jets were able to get a contract in place. Williams has started 28 games the last two seasons at inside linebacker and has produced 100 total tackles in each of those seasons, adding five total sacks. It’s a pretty nice payday for a guy who was waived after two seasons in Jacksonville.

Williams was carted off the field in Sunday’s Week 3 game against the Bengals but appears to have avoided serious injury. Williams is expected to miss some time with what appears to be an ankle sprain. He has started each of the Jets’ three games on the year, totaling 20 tackles and one sack.

Williams, not to be confused with his brother Quinnen Williams, was injured while tackling Joe Mixon. He headed to the locker room on the cart for further evaluation.

Williams joins his brother, defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, on a lackluster Jets defense. A third-round pick from the Jaguars’ 2019 draft class, Williams earned eight starts as a rookie but was scaled back in his second year. He appeared in just seven games due to a core injury and ultimately settled in as a special teams player. Williams will play a rotational role at most for the Jets.

Williams initially suffered the injury during walkthroughs in mid-August. He also battled an offseason knee scope and a season-ending hand injury last year. Dakota Allen and Cassius Marsh will rotate in until Williams is eligible to return.

Williams suffered the injury during walkthroughs. It’s only concerning since it adds to his recent bout of ailments including last year’s offseason knee scope and a season-ending hand injury suffered in December. Former Last Chance U star Dakota Allen will take reps behind Myles Jack until Williams is cleared.

The team claimed LB Preston Brown off waivers from Oakland in a corresponding move. Williams is the fourth linebacker the Jags have placed on injured reserve over last the three weeks, joining Myles Jack (knee), Jake Ryan (hamstring), and Najee Goode (knee) on the sideline. The third-round rookie totaled 47 tackles in his disappointing debut season.

Williams had an early August knee scope to repair a torn meniscus. He was given a 4-6 week timetable, so this keeps him on track for Week 1. Williams was one of the standouts of OTAs before going down. Assuming he avoids setbacks, he’ll open the year in a starting role.

Williams needs arthroscopic surgery to “trim” the ligament. It’s minor surgery, but no knee operation is a walk in the park. The No. 98 overall pick is now in danger of missing Week 1, though coach Doug Marrone expects him to be ready. Marrone recently said he believed Williams was the fastest player on the team. He had been making plays all over the field this summer.

Williams has been getting first-team reps at OTAs. There’s a lot to like with his measurables, but Williams needs to improve his cover skills to stick on the weak side. With Telvin Smith stepping away from football and little in front of him, Williams has a chance to be a Week 1 starter if he can put together a strong training camp.