The New York Jets have activated wide receiver Mike Williams from the physically unable to perform list, meaning the former Los Angeles Chargers pass catcher can begin practicing with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the offense for the first time this offseason.
Williams, who signed a one-year contract worth up to $15 million with the Jets this offseason, is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 3 last season.
Throughout the summer, Jets coach Robert Saleh has alluded to Williams being on the "Breece Hall plan" when it came to his recovery from the ACL injury, a reference to the timeline Hall took last year coming off his own ACL injury from 2022. If that was really the case -- this means Williams is ahead of the Jets' planned schedule. Hall was activated off PUP on Aug. 15 last year.
The Jets will still ease Williams back into the lineup, meaning don't expect him to participate in Thursday's joint practice with the Washington Commanders or in team drills for at least a week or two. But this is a major development for a team that had been hit by the injury bug at wide receiver this offseason, calling into question their depth at the position.
Second-year wideout Xavier Gipson had missed most of camp with an injury before returning on Tuesday. Allen Lazard missed a practice and veteran Malik Taylor has been out for a few practices now, too.
Williams, when ready, will step into a role as the Jets No. 2 wide receiver opposite Garrett Wilson, which is what they signed him to do this offseason. Before Williams' injury -- and he's battled some injury issues in recent years -- he was considered one of the best deep threats in the NFL and elite at winning 50/50 balls. If he can find his old speed and leaping ability in his first year post-ACL, he's in line for a big role in the Jets offense that doesn't have much it can rely on in the passing game at wide receiver other than Wilson at the moment. Third-round rookie Malachi Corley is still adjusting to NFL speed.
When healthy, Williams has been productive. In 2021, he caught 76 passes for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games. The 2016 first-round pick followed that with 63 catches for 895 yards and four scores in 13 games in 2022.
He averaged 83 receiving yards per game last year before the ACL injury ended his 2023 campaign.