Aug. 29, 2024 19:25 PM EST

Mike Williams Practicing In Team Drills And Expected To Be Available For Jets' Regular-Season Opener

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Pro Football Writer
FILE - New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams speaks to reporters at the team's NFL football training facility in Florham Park, N.J., June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dennis Waszak Jr., File) Dennis Waszak Jr., ASSOCIATED PRESS
FILE - New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams speaks to reporters at the team's NFL football training facility in Florham Park, N.J., June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dennis Waszak Jr., File)

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Mike Williams' comeback took another major step forward this week.

The New York Jets wide receiver is trending toward playing in the season opener after he participated in team drills for the first time since tearing the ACL in his left knee while with the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3 last season.

“I think he had like four or five catches and well over 100 yards,” coach Robert Saleh said Thursday. "But I thought he had a really nice day today."

Williams was activated from the physically unable to perform list on Aug. 7 and had been participating in individual drills at practice and running routes on the side.

“I feel good,” Williams said. “I mean, it's what I expected. I was putting the work in this whole time to make myself available to perform this season. So it's all paying off at the right time.”

Saleh said Williams will be available to play at San Francisco on Sept. 9, but it wouldn't be fair to expect him to be 100%.

“We’re going to be very smart with how we use him,” Saleh said. “But he’s going to be plenty available to make his mark felt.”

Williams said the team hasn't talked yet about how much he might play in the opener.

“I mean, I’m ready for whatever, though,” he said. “Whenever my number is called, I'll be ready. I’m preparing to play the whole game or whatever they need from me.”

The 29-year-old Williams signed a one-year deal with the Jets in March and should pair with Garrett Wilson to give Aaron Rodgers two proven playmaking wide receivers. That has Williams optimistic about how effective and productive New York's offense could be this season.

“It’s going to be crazy,” Williams said. “Aaron, he’s hitting all cylinders right now. Him and G (Wilson) and everybody else is making a lot of plays against the defense that we have. So I feel like when it comes Sundays, it’s going to make it a lot easier for everybody.”

NOTES: CB Michael Carter II returned to practice fully after missing a few weeks with an ankle injury. ... DT Leki Fotu is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Saleh said the team is hopeful Fotu will be healthy around the third week of the season. But since it's a short week with the Jets playing on a Thursday night against New England, they decided to put the defensive tackle on IR and have him sit out through Week 4.

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