Jets WR Mike Williams unlikely to play Sunday, and may have played his last down with the team
Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (18) makes a catch and is brought down by New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) during the second half, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford. Credit: Corey Sipkin
FLORHAM PARK, N.J.- As Davante Adams was warming up with the Jets’ receivers Thursday, Mike Williams walked across the grass, helmet in hand, to a side field and began working with a trainer.
Williams’ days as a Jet are numbered. He may have already played his last down for them.
Signs point to Williams being inactive for Sunday’s game against the Steelers. Williams didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday. It was listed on the injury report as personal reasons.
“I’ll leave it up to Mike and Coach [Jeff] Ulbrich to address that,” passing game coordinator Todd Downing said.
Ulbrich doesn’t speak to reporters on Thursday and Williams wasn’t in the locker room during media availability.
The acquisition of Adams has made Williams expendable. The Jets signed him to a one-year deal in the offseason. Williams should draw interest on the trade market from receiver-needy teams such as Kansas City, Pittsburgh and New Orleans.
The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 5.
Backing Zuerlein
Special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said he has “not lost faith” in Greg Zuerlein, who clunked two second-half field goals off the left upright in Monday’s three-point loss to Buffalo. Zuerlein also missed a potential game-winning kick against Denver in Week 4.
Boyer has “full confidence” that Zuerlein will “dig himself out of this hole.” Boyer also said the Jets were doing their “due diligence” in working out kickers Cade York, Riley Patterson and Matt Coghlin on Wednesday.
Hackett’s role
Downing continued to praise offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who was demoted as play caller. Downing described Hackett’s role as "fluid".
“Sometimes it’s a little bit more involved with game planning and sometimes it’s a little bit more involved with the quarterbacks,” Downing said. “It’s kind of a fluid role. The cool thing about the role is he has a servant’s heart and he’s doing so many wonderful things to help us get ready for this game.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
