New Jets wide receiver Mike Williams is expected to play on a limited basis in Monday night's game against the 49ers.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh said the team will maintain a strict play count as Williams returns from an ACL injury and surgery that ended his 2023 season.
Saleh said the Jets will likely keep Williams on the sidelines early in the season, even though it seems Williams is ready for a bigger role.
The Jets did the same thing last season when running back Breece Hall returned from a torn ACL.
Hall's playing time was limited through the first few weeks of the season.
“[Williams] “He's going to be ready to play 60 plays and we're going to be very smart about how we use him,” Saleh said. “It's no different with Brees. Brees was ready to go, but we wanted to be proactive about the long term. He's going to have a big impact in this game, but at the same time, we're going to be smart with him because we're looking at the whole season, not just Week 1.”
Williams missed most of training camp but returned to practice with the team last week and said he will be ready to play on Monday night against the 49ers.
The Jets began practice on Thursday for their game against the 49ers, but DE Haason Reddick continued to be sidelined.
The Jets will have a light practice on Saturday before Monday's game, then their most intense preparations will be on Thursday and Friday.
Redick is unlikely to play Monday as he continues to await a new contract. Saleh said he hasn't ruled him out yet and that there's still a chance Redick could play Monday.
“It's doable,” Saleh said. “The team we're facing right now only has two guys who came to practice, and I'm confident that their veteran players who know how to do it the right way will be ready for the game.”
Backup offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer did not practice Thursday because of a hand injury.
OT Tyron Smith was limited, but that was to give him rest.
49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey was limited in practice Thursday because of a calf/Achilles injury.
