Former Los Angeles Charger Mike Williams was a key offseason acquisition for the New York Jets, and the talented wide receiver was expected to step in and be a favorite target for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
But those plans are on hold with the latest injury news out of New York.
Expectations for a full recovery before training camp may have been overly optimistic, as Williams tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last season in Week 3 while still with the Chargers.
He was signed by the Jets in March with the knowledge that he still needed time to heal.
NFL expert Kyle Yates reported on Thursday that Williams will start Jets training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
This does not surprise team officials, who anticipated that he would need additional time to fully recover.
Many around the Jets believe that the 29-year-old will be ready to come off the PUP list sometime next month, and he potentially could be available for the season opener at San Francisco against the 49ers.
A healthy Williams along with the return of Aaron Rodgers could give the Jets one of the most powerful offenses in the NFL.
The former first-round selection out of Clemson spent his first seven professional seasons with the Chargers, and he came into his own in the 2021 and 2022 campaigns.
Williams caught 76 and 63 passes respectively, and expectations were for another strong showing last season.
But those hopes were dashed by the knee injury, and now the Jets must wait and see if he will be ready by the start of the season.
