New Jets receiver Mike Williams will make a limited appearance Monday night against the 49ers.
Jets coach Robert Saleh said Williams will be subject to a strict number of games as he works his way back from the ACL injury and surgery that ended his 2023 season.
Saleh said that while Williams appears ready for a bigger role, the Jets will hold him back early in the season.
The Jets did the same thing with running back Breece Hall last season as he returned from an ACL injury.
Hall’s shots have been limited in the first few weeks of the season.
“(Williams) could be ready for 60 games and we’re still going to be really smart about how we use him,” Saleh said. “It’s no different than Breece. Breece was ready to play, but we wanted to make sure we were looking at the long term. He’s going to have a big impact on this game, but at the same time, we’re going to be smart with him because our eyes are on the whole season, not just the first week.”
Williams missed most of training camp but returned to team drills last week and said he was ready to play Monday night against the 49ers.
The Jets began their practice preparation against the 49ers on Thursday and DE Haason Reddick remained sidelined.
The Jets have their most intense days of preparation Thursday and Friday before light work Saturday before Monday’s game.
Reddick is unlikely to play Monday as he is still waiting on a new contract. Saleh said he is not ruling it out yet and that Reddick could still play Monday.
“It’s doable,” Saleh said. “The opponent we’re playing right now has only had two players show up to practice. You can count on your veterans who know how to do things right to get ready to play.”
OL substitute Wes Schweitzer did not practice Thursday due to a hand injury.
OT Tyron Smith was limited but that was just to rest him.
49ers star RB Christian McCaffrey was limited in practice Thursday with a calf and Achilles injury.
New York Post
